Ethnic group's future takes root in tea trees

KUNMING - There is a knife hanging on the wall of Zhe Sao's home. It used to be a hunting tool passed down by his ancestors, but now it has become a decoration reminding him of hard times in the past.

Living in Xiaopuxi village in Yunnan province, Zhe is a Jino, the last minority ethnic group - and 56th - officially recognized in 1979.

"My grandpa was born in a primitive society, and both my father and I experienced the days of slash-and-burn farming," said Zhe.