On The Right Of Peoples To Self-determination To The Significance Of Regional Autonomy Of Minority Nationalities In China

Right of National Self-Determination is a subject which has invoked a lot of different opinions in the field of international law. From the perspective of the principle of national equality, the writer thinks that Right of National Self-Determination should be understood in a broader sense. In the writer's view, not only does it apply to the peoples of colonies and the peoples by alien occupation or domination, but also applies to all of the people as a whole within a sovereign state. In the meantime, it even applies to each nationality within a sovereign state. According to the writer's opinion, China's System of Regional National Autonomy is an outcome of Right of National Self-Determination. Based on the above-mentioned analysis, the writer believes that National Self-Determination is of great significance to China's System of Regional National Autonomy, as is shown as follows: 1) it provides legal basis; 2) it has reference value for the content of Regional National Autonomy; 3) it stipulates obligations for the state; 4) it is not justification for national separatism. In the end, the writer comes to the conclusion that in a state with many nationalities such as China, there is no reason to be afraid of talking of National Self-Determination. As long as we understand and grasp the true meaning of National Self-Determination in a comprehensive and correct way, and make it serve us effectively, it will do no harm to national unity and the state's unification. On the contrary, it should be a help to the smooth implementation of the System of Regional National Autonomy.