Ethnicity or Religion?

In Chinese studies 341, I recently was assigned, as was the class, to research and give a presentation on a particular ethnicity in China. My particular ethnicity was that of the Hui. The Hui Chinese are an ethnic minority group located predominantly in the Ningxia Autonomous Region of north central China. I experienced, as did many students, difficulty finding research pertaining to my subject. Historical facts and statistical figures were easy to find, however Beijing’s connection to the Hui was nonexistent in research. After talking to the class as well as my teacher, we concluded that Beijing is very careful in what and what not to disclose to foreigners, as well as Chinese citizens. Information dealing with funds given to the Ningxia region, and government rules were nowhere to be found. The Hui, who are a Muslim practicing ethnicity, pose an interesting question. What does Beijing consider to be the defining ethnic components of the Hui, other than religion? There seems to exist a great deal of hypocrisy in Beijing’s dealings of the Hui. Beijing is okay with granting autonomy to the Hui because their Muslim religion has grown internally. However, Beijing does not recognize any other religions, such as Christianity. There has been little foreign intervention, by other Muslim nations till recently. However, Beijing does not like the fact that Communists, whom practice Atheism, have within their group Muslims. It is a confusing situation which leaves a vague and undefined trail of evidence, of how Beijing works bureaucratically with “ethnic” not “religious” regions. Even the the Hui differ religiously; Beijing sees the difference as being ethnic. This ethnic definition allows Beijing to grant the area autonomy, though the Hui have experienced persecution for years due to their religious practices.