All ethnic groups in China are equal and no racial discrimination exists, Dainzhub Ongboin, vice director of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, told a regular news briefing on Thursday.

"China's ethnic groups enjoy equal status and are living in unity. There is no discrimination (directed at any ethnicity)," Dainzhub, who is himself of Tibetan origin, said, in response to a Reuters reporter who asked whether racial discrimination existed in Chinese society.

China has 55 minority ethnic groups. The Han people accounts for more than 90 percent of the country's total population.

"People from different ethnic groups often help each other and their relations are harmonious," he said, adding the central government was investing more money to alleviate poverty in some ethnic minority groups.

"The 56 ethnic minorities are like brothers and sisters living in one family," said Dainzhub.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)