Why are Bunu speakers classified as members of the Yao nationality in China?

In China, the classification of ethnic groups is not based solely on linguistic criteria but also incorporates cultural, political, and self-identification factors.1

The designation of the Yao nationality is a prime example of this broader approach. While the Hmong-Mien languages family includes distinct branches, the Chinese government classifies speakers of various languages—including the Mienic languages, the Hmongic language Bunu, and even the Tai-Kadai language Lakkia—as members of the Yao nationality.1

This classification system can lead to complexities where linguistic and ethnic categories do not perfectly align. For instance, speakers of the Mun language, which is linguistically Mienic, are classified as members of the Miao nationality for cultural reasons. Because of these discrepancies, many Western scholars prefer the term "Hmong-Mien" to refer specifically to the language family, distinguishing it from the official Chinese ethnic classifications.1