Redefining Social Status How a small city in west China protects the rights of its disadvantaged groups

Located in the eastern part of Gansu Province,northwest China,Pingliang City is bordered by Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to the north and Shaanxi Province to the south and east.Covering an area of 11,000 square km,the place was once a key city on the ancient Silk Road and today still serves as an important pass connecting inland Gansu with the country's eastern region.