Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Ethnic Minorities

(Adopted at the 14th Session of the Standing Committee of the 10th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress on December 9, 1994; amended in accordance with the Decision on Amending Four Local Regulations including the Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Physical Fitness of Citizens and Repealing the Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on the Administration of Production and Marketing of Alcohol Products, adopted at the 25th Session of the Standing Committee of the 16th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress on November 26, 2025)

Contents

Chapter I General Provisions

Chapter II Equal Rights of Ethnic Minorities

Chapter III Economy, Culture and Education of Ethnic Minorities

Chapter IV Customs, Practices and Religious Beliefs of Ethnic Minorities

Chapter V Rewards and Punishments

Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I  General Provisions

Article 1

With a view to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of ethnic minorities, safeguarding and developing the socialist ethnic relations characterized by equality, unity and mutual assistance among all ethnic groups, and promoting the common prosperity of all ethnic groups, these Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the relevant laws and the Regulations on Urban Ethnic Work promulgated by the State Council, and in the light of the actual circumstances of this Municipality .

Article 2

These Regulations shall apply to all state-recognized ethnic groups other than the Han nationality that reside within the administrative region of this Municipality.

All state organs, societies, enterprises and public institutions and citizens of this Municipality shall abide by and implement these Regulations.

Article 3

Citizens of ethnic minorities shall enjoy the rights and perform the obligations prescribed by the Constitution and the laws. All organizations and individuals shall respect the customs and practices of ethnic minorities and shall not infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of citizens of ethnic minorities.

Article 4

The municipal people's government shall incorporate the economic, cultural and educational undertakings adapted to the needs of ethnic minorities in this Municipality into the plan for national economic and social development.

Article 5

Publicity departments for press and publication, literary and artistic creation, film, television and broadcasting shall fulfill their ethnic publicity duties and disseminate the laws, regulations and policies relating to ethnic minorities.

All publicity units shall respect the customs and practices and religious beliefs of ethnic minorities. No discriminatory or insulting language, written content or images against ethnic minorities that injure ethnic feelings shall appear in any publications, radio broadcasts, films, television programs, audio-visual products, operas or other activities.

Article 6

The municipal and district competent administrative departments for ethnic affairs shall be responsible for guiding, coordinating, supervising and inspecting the implementation and enforcement of relevant ethnic laws, regulations, and these Regulations within this Municipality and the areas under their jurisdiction respectively.

Chapter II  Equal Rights of Ethnic Minorities

Article 7

The municipal or district people's congresses shall include members from ethnic minorities. The standing committee of the Municipal People's Congress and the standing committees of the  people's congresses of districts with a relatively large population of ethnic minorities shall also include such members. There may be members of ethnic minorities among the component members of the standing committees of the people's congresses of other districts.

Article 8

People's governments at all levels shall prioritize the work concerning minority ethnic cadres. The personnel departments shall formulate plans and adopt concrete measures to select and train competent minority ethnic cadres who possess both political integrity and professional ability.

In the districts and sub-districts with a relatively concentrated population of ethnic minorities, as well as in the departments or units that provide direct services for the production and living needs of ethnic minorities, citizens from ethnic minorities shall be included in the leadership.

In the competent administrative departments for ethnic affairs under people's government at all levels, an appropriate number of citizens of ethnic minorities shall be included in the staff.

Article 9

The property and legitimate activities of social organizations of ethnic minorities established in accordance with the law shall be protected by law.

Article 10

Citizens of ethnic minorities who experience discrimination or insult shall have the right to file a complaint or charge with the relevant state organs, and such state organs shall conduct investigations and handle the cases in accordance with the law.

Citizens of ethnic minorities shall have the right to use their own spoken and written languages in litigation. Judicial organs shall provide translation or interpretation services for participants in litigation who are not proficient in the spoken and written Chinese language.

Article 11

People's governments at all levels shall encourage state organs, enterprises and public institutions to employ citizens of ethnic minorities.

When state organs recruit staff members or enterprises and public institutions hire employees, they shall not refuse to employ citizens of ethnic minorities on the grounds of living customs or other reasons.

The relevant departments and units shall provide skill training for minority employees who are indeed laid off and unemployed but are eligible for reemployment, and create conditions for their reemployment.

The district civil affairs departments, the town/township people's governments and sub-district offices shall take measures to effectively guarantee the basic livelihood of citizens of ethnic minorities who have lost the ability to work and have no source of income.

Chapter III  Economy, Culture and Education of Ethnic Minorities

Article 12

People's governments at all levels shall provide financial support for the development of the economic, cultural and educational undertakings needed by ethnic minorities, and shall rationally increase the special funds for ethnic undertakings.

The competent administrative department for ethnic affairs at all levels and the relevant units shall use the special funds rationally and shall not deduct, misappropriate or withhold such funds.

The district people's governments may, in the light of the actual conditions of the ethnic minorities in its area and upon approval by the relevant municipal departments, establish a fund for the development of undertakings of ethnic minorities.

Article 13

Ethnic trade enterprises and designated production enterprises of ethnic goods shall enjoy preferential treatment in accordance with provisions of the State.

Article 14

Relevant departments of the people's governments at all levels shall organize and promote paired assistance and various forms of cooperation between this Municipality and the ethnic regions. Ethnic affairs departments at all levels shall encourage social organizations of ethnic minorities, ethnic trade enterprises, designated production enterprises of ethnic goods, and economic entities of ethnic minorities to participate in the aforementioned activities.

Article 15

People's governments at all levels shall attach importance to education for ethnic minorities, strengthen leadership over ethnic schools, formulate supporting policies, improve the treatment of teachers, strengthen the teaching staff, increase funding for school operation, improve teaching facilities, and raise the quality of teaching.

Schools of all types and levels shall conduct publicity and education on ethnic policies and ethnic knowledge, and include such education in their plans.

Article 16

In student enrollment, all types of schools shall, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State and this Municipality, apply appropriately relaxed admission standards to candidates of ethnic minorities who have completed compulsory education.

All types of schools shall show overall concern for ethnic minority students enrolled in specialized ethnic classes or studying alongside Han students, and appropriately increase the proportion of financial aid, scholarships and living subsidies for them.

Article 17

People's governments at all levels shall, in the light of actual conditions, assist ethnic minorities in conducting healthy cultural, artistic and sports activities with ethnic characteristics.

Chapter IV  Customs, Practices and Religious Beliefs of Ethnic Minorities

Article 18

Citizens of ethnic minorities shall have the freedom to preserve or change their own customs and practices. No organization or individual may interfere therewith. Respect shall be given to citizens of ethnic minorities who preserve their own ethnic customs and practices.

Article 19

The competent commercial departments at all levels shall attach importance to the rational distribution of supply outlets for halal food (including halal meals and non-staple food, the same below), ensure the market supply of halal food and other food items necessary for the daily life of ethnic minorities. Commercial outlets for halal food shall be established at railway stations, major passenger terminals, airports, commercial centers and residential quarters with a relatively concentrated population of ethnic minorities.

Article 20

All units and individuals that intend to produce or operate halal food in this Municipality shall, after obtaining the approval of the municipal and district competent administrative departments for ethnic affairs, submit an application pursuant to the prescribed procedures. Factories, shops and stalls engaged in the operating of halal food shall clearly mark the word "Halal" on their signboards.

The primary and auxiliary ingredients and materials of halal food shall conform to the customs of ethnic minorities. Vehicles for transporting halal food, measuring instruments, storage containers, as well as sites for processing and selling such food shall be used exclusively for halal purposes.

Units engaged in halal food business shall not arbitrarily change their service orientation. Should such change be genuinely necessary, prior approval shall be obtained from the municipal competent administrative department for ethnic affairs.

Article 21

Appropriate proportions of ethnic minority citizens who observe halal dietary customs shall be maintained among the leading members and staff of halal food units. Employees of such units shall conscientiously respect the dietary customs of these ethnic minorities.

Where a Halal food unit is operated under contract or lease, the contractor or lessee and the individual operator of halal food, shall in general be citizens of ethnic minorities who observe halal dietary customs. Where the aforesaid conditions are not met, the contractor, lessee or operator shall receive prior training in the halal food industry and obtain a qualification certificate.

Article 22

The demolition of supply outlets for halal food shall adhere to the principle of "demolish one, replace one" under equal conditions and relocation to a nearby area. If the demolition is required for municipal construction, the opinions of the municipal and district competent administrative department for ethnic affairs shall be solicited in advance for overall arrangement. If the demolition is required for non-municipal construction, approval shall be obtained from the municipal and district competent administrative department for ethnic affairs. Temporary supply outlets for halal food shall be set up during the transition period of demolition, and necessary economic compensation shall be provided.

Article 23

State organs, schools, enterprises and public institutions where citizens of ethnic minorities who observe halal dietary habits work or study shall establish halal canteens or provide halal meals. Those that are not in a position to do so shall grant halal food subsidies to such citizens in accordance with relevant provisions.

Municipal hospitals, district central hospitals and other similar medical institutions shall provide halal meals for patients who observe halal dietary habits.

Article 24

Where the houses of ethnic minority citizens need to be demolished for urban construction or other reasons, the departments concerned shall respect their customs and practices, give appropriate consideration and make proper arrangements.

Article 25

No hotels, inns, guest houses and other public places may refuse to accommodate citizens of ethnic minorities on the grounds of different living customs or languages.

Article 26

Citizens of ethnic minorities who participate in major festivals of their own ethnic groups shall be entitled to holidays and remuneration in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State.

Article 27

Citizens of ethnic minorities who have relocated to this Municipality due to marriage shall be properly resettled by the departments concerned in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State and this Municipality, and shall be given priority in applying for household registration. Care and assistance shall also be provided in respect of their daily life, employment, children's education and other aspects.

The benefits for visiting relatives of ethnic minority staff and workers who come to work in town/township enterprises of this Municipality from other regions due to marriage shall be implemented with reference to the relevant provisions of the State.

Article 28

Funeral and interment customs of ethnic minorities shall be respected. Relevant departments of the people's governments at all levels shall take measures to provide appropriate funeral and interment services for ethnic minorities.

Cemeteries of the Hui people shall be protected and shall not be arbitrarily occupied or encroached upon.

The people's governments at all levels shall support citizens of ethnic minorities who voluntarily carry out reforms in funeral and interment practices.

Article 29

Citizens of ethnic minorities shall enjoy the freedom of religious belief, and their legitimate religious activities shall be protected by law. No organization or individual may compel citizens of ethnic minorities to believe in or not to believe in any religion, nor may they discriminate against citizens of ethnic minorities on the grounds of their religious belief or lack thereof. No person may use religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair citizens' health, or interfere with the national educational system.

Chapter V  Rewards and Punishments

Article 30

The municipal and district people's governments shall commend and reward collectives and individuals that have achieved outstanding accomplishments and made remarkable contributions to the cause of ethnic unity and progress.

Individuals awarded the national-level or municipal-level title of Advanced Individual in Ethnic Unity and Progress may be entitled to the benefits and treatment equivalent to the municipal-level Model Workers or the district or bureau-level Advanced Workers respectively.

Article 31

Whoever violates the relevant provisions of these Regulations and infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of ethnic minority citizens shall be ordered by the competent department to immediately cease the infringing act, and shall be criticized, educated or disciplined by the unit concerned or its higher authority. Whoever violates the Law of the People's Republic of China on Public Security Administration Punishments shall be punished by a public security organ. Whoever violates other laws and regulations shall be punished by the competent authority. If the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

Chapter VI  Supplementary Provisions

Article 32

Citizens of ethnic minorities who legally reside temporarily in this Municipality may apply the relevant provisions of these Regulations by reference.

Article 33

These Regulations shall be effective as of March 1, 1995.