Minority Supplier Development China (MSD China) has the ability to certify Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) within China. Certification is carried out through a consistent and identical review of a minority businesses status. The standard procedures adopted nationwide are specified within our Certification Policy and Procedures Manual.

Certified MBEs are included within MSIS (Minority Supplier Information System), an interactive database often used by those purchasing corporations who are registered members of MSD China.

Definition for China’s Ethnic Minority Groups

The Current Definition of Ethnic Minorities as determined by the Chinese Government

There are 56 ethnic groups in China. Han, the most populous ethnicity, has 1.137 billion people and accounts for 91.53 % of China’s total population. The remaining 55 ethnic groups, which account for only 8.47 % of the total population, are referred to as ethnic minorities due to their small population number. 5 autonomous regions, 30 autonomous prefectures and 120 autonomous counties as well as 1,256 ethnic townships account form 64% of China's total land mass. The following represent China’s 55 ethnic minority groups: Zhuang, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, Uygur, Miao, Yi, Bouyei, Korean, Dong, Yao, Bai, Tujia, Hani, Kazak, Dai, Li, Lisu, Va, Lahu, Shui, Dongxiang, Naxi, Jingpo, Kirgiz, Tu, Daur, Mulao, Qiang, Salar, Maonan, Gelo, Xibe, Gaoshan, Blang, Achang, Pumi, Tajik, Nu, Uzbek, Russian, Ewenki, De’ang, Bonan, Yugur, Jing, Jino, Tatar, Dulong, Oroquen, Hezhe, Lhoba, Moinba, She.

Certification Criteria for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) Applied by MSD China

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

An ethnic minority-owned business, regardless of size, is a profit seeking enterprise, physically located within the People’s Republic of China, owned, operated and controlled by China’s Ethnic minority group members. An “Ethnic minority group member” is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China and belongs to one of the 55 ethnic groups stated above. Ownership by minority individuals means that such individuals own at least 51% of the business or, in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51% of the stock. Furthermore, the management and daily operations of the business should be controlled by those same minority group members.