Sustainable development means that the needs of contemporary people are satisfied without undermining those of their next generations. The goals of sustainable development include economic development, social justice, and ecological conservation. The realization of sustainable development relies on the cooperation of governments at different levels, numerous communities, and various ethnic groups. To pursue sustainable development, two strategies could be used to shape the interaction patterns among ethnic groups; that is, competitive cooperation and ethnic partnership. The author contends that ethnic partnership is a more appropriate one. However, ethnic partnership, which is based on the principles of fairness and justice, could be interpreted in different ways, such as the principles of fair resource distribution and the rights of indigenous people.