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People group profile · PG007300

The Michi of China

The Michi of China, numbering about 49,500 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a distinct subgroup within the broader Yi nationality in China, primarily residing in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.

They are an indigenous people in the Other Tibeto-Burmese people cluster of the Tibetan Peoples. Their primary religion is Animism, and they primarily speak Mandarin Chinese.

Pray for the MichiPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Michi people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash: Michi

Fast facts

Country
China
Population
49,500
Affinity group
Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
People cluster
Other Tibeto-Burmese
Primary language
Mandarin Chinese (cmn)
Primary religion
Animism
Strategic Progress Index
No Longer Unreached
Evangelical
2% or Greater but Less than 5%
GSEC
2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
Lostness priority
Minimally Reached People Group
Also known as
Miqi, Sinicized Yi, Hong Yi
Region
Eastern Asia, Asia

Where they live

Gospel status

The Michi are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Michi

  • Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
  • Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
  • Send out laborers from this people to the nations

Primary religion

Animism · Ethnoreligion

70% adherents

Primary language

Mandarin Chinese · Sino-Tibetan family

100% speak Mandarin Chinese

Gospel resources in Mandarin Chinese

  • Bible available, published 2018
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories not available

Films

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Michi

  1. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  2. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
  3. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  4. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.

Download a prayer guide

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