That ethnic minorities have no interest in the Yellow Emperor is occasionally noted by Chinese commentators.

ECONOMIST: The dangers of confusing patriotism with ethnic pride

He is Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor viewed by many Chinese as the founder of the country 6, 000 years ago.

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Last October officials arranged for groups of ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, to join one such rite at a shrine in Shaanxi province where the Yellow Emperor is said to be buried.

ECONOMIST: The dangers of confusing patriotism with ethnic pride

Official insensitivity to ethnic minorities is evident in attempts in recent years to foster a cult of the Yellow Emperor, a mythical ancestor of the Han race, who supposedly lived 5, 000 years ago.

ECONOMIST: Chinese nationalism: Land of the Yellow Emperor | The

Governments in Shaanxi and in Henan province, which claims to be the emperor's birthplace, are competing (and reportedly spending millions of dollars) to make their respective Yellow Emperor shrines pre-eminent.

ECONOMIST: The dangers of confusing patriotism with ethnic pride

Yellow Emperor-worship will enjoy a boost from the introduction this week of a new public holiday known as Qingming, Tomb Sweeping Day.

ECONOMIST: The dangers of confusing patriotism with ethnic pride

Just before the Lhasa riots four advisers to China's parliament proposed that presiding over Yellow Emperor ceremonies should become an annual duty for state leaders.

ECONOMIST: Chinese nationalism: Land of the Yellow Emperor | The