Аннотация:This article is an attempt to investigate Tuvan ethnic groups living in China, where they are national
minorities and do not have national-territorial status. Object of research are ethno-local groups of
Tuvans, who inhabit the Habahe and Burjin Districts of Kazakh Autonomous Province. They also live in Altai, Koktogai, Chingil and Burultogai Districts of Altay aimag of Xinjiang Autonomous District of China, set at some distance from each other. The authors focus on their historical background, settlement, number, ethnic identity and contemporary ethno-linguistic processes. This article is based on materials gathered during field-works, which were conducted by the authors in China in different time – in the 1990s and 2000s.