According to new rules that came into effect from August 21, 2014, Chinese authorities in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region have announced a cash incentive of an annual payment of 10,000 yuan (U.S.$1,630) for five years for interracial marriages between members of ethnic minority groups and majority Han Chinese. Officials disclosed that mixed-race couples will also enjoy privileged access to housing, medical care, and education for their children, but the benefits won't apply if both parties are from a minority group .