Guizhou province, in Southwest China, is home to?about 50?ethnic groups. The province has carried out a series of measures to help the local ethnic people improve their living conditions.

Statistics from the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission of Guizhou Province shows that the province has invested 180 million yuan ($25.91 million) since 2011 to support 500 villages inhabited by these ethnic groups. The money was used to improve infrastructure, cultivate characteristic industries, and train professional individuals.

Ethnic groups have their own special culture and festivals, customs, architecture, languages, and arts, such as embroidery, weaving, and sculpture, which are driving points for the local economy.

In recent years, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission has put 22.6 million yuan to more than 450 projects featuring traditional handicrafts and talented individuals.

The province plans to set up ten training sites and ten master studios to cultivate approximately 10,000 talented individuals in traditional handicrafts between 2016 to 2020.

Edited by Tyler Terrance Oneil