Like India, China is as big and diverse as a continent, though it is ethnically far more homogeneous, with more than 90% belonging to the Han majority, and has spent far more of its history as a united nation.

ECONOMIST: Democracy and growth are not in competition

It extends well into areas of the city where ethnic Han Chinese form the majority.

ECONOMIST: Our correspondent reports from Tibet

China consists of some 50 minorities and also majority races: the Han, Manchus, Mongols, Uighur, Zhuang and Tibetans.

CNN: ASIANOW - Asiaweek | Letters & Comment