Among the
population of the national minority residing in China, "Zhuang" has the most in amount. According to the statistics
obtained from the Fifth Nationwide
Population Survey conducted in 2001, "Zhuang" has a population of 15.556 millions peoples. In contrast, "Ge Ba" has the least in population. It amounts to 2300 peoples. Among others, the most dispersedly populated are "Hui". Their residence could be found in most of the provinces, cities,
autonomous regions, and counties all over the nation. The province that has the most number of national minorities is Yunnan. An amount of 21 national minorities could be found in this province. The broadest autonomous regions in China is the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Its area is more than 1.6 million kilometer square, or about 1 over 6 of the total area of the nation. The autonomous region that is established ealiest is the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was established on the 1st of May, 1947. The earliest navigator in China and in the world is Zheng He (of "Hui" origin). The oldest paper-cut, "double-horse bundled flower", is found in the Gao-Chang area of Turfan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The largest Copper Buddha in China and in Asia is the Copper Buddha of Rikeze Zhaxilhunbo temple in Tibet Autonomous Region. China first worldwide athletic champion is Ma Yan-hong of "Hui" origin. She obtained the world gymnastics height pole single item champion in 9th of December, 1979. The China first person of national minority to conquered the Mount Everest is the athlete, Gong-Bu, a Tibetan. Together with Wang Fu-zhou and Qu Yin-hua of "Han" origin, he successfully mounted the peak on 25th of May, 1960. The China first athlete of national minority to become a referee in the international table tennis tournament is You-La Ri-Mu of Uygur origin. The China and the world first copper drum is excavated from the Wan Jiadi ancient grave of Yunnan Chuxiong Yi Nationality Autonomous Region.
The longest historical poem in China and in the world is “the Legend of King Gesar” of Tibet. A single poem consists of 1 million to 1.5 million rows. The longest translation in China and in the world is “the Manchu Script Buddhist Scriptures”. The translation started in February of Qing Dynasty Qian Long 38 years, and was completed after a period of 18 years. It amounts to 1202 satchels. The oldest dance book in China “Dong-ba Dance Book of Na-xi” is the only dance book in the world that contains graphical ideograms. In China, the most spoken language of national minority is “Dai”. “Dai” is of Zhuang-Dai, Zhuang-Dong, Sino-Tibetan language family.