Original sentence: Historically, the ethnic minorities who inhabited the areas around the Chinese Empire were considered to be barbarians by many Han Chinese.The government has moved Han Chinese into these areas in large numbers, which is perceived by some as an apparent effort to "water down" the ethnic minority population
Edited sentence: Historically the Han Chinese had very low regard for the ethnic minorities that inhabit what is now China, largely considering them barbarians.The government has moved Han Chinese into these areas in large numbers in an apparent effort to "water down" the ethnic minority population