Additional Coverage:
- China passes ‘ethnic unity’ law in push for assimilation (foxnews.com)
China Enacts “Ethnic Unity” Law, Raising Concerns Over Minority Rights
Beijing has formalized its long-standing push for a stronger national identity and ethnic integration with the passage of a new “Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law.” The legislation was approved during the closing meeting of the 14th National People’s Congress’s annual parliamentary gathering on Thursday.
The new law aims to embed the concept of “fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation” into state policy, according to state-affiliated media. It also seeks to bolster development in regions with significant ethnic minority populations and promote “common prosperity” among China’s 56 recognized ethnic groups.
Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, stated that the measure is designed to advance the governance of ethnic affairs under the rule of law. A translated excerpt of the proposed law, provided by The Associated Press, emphasizes that “The people of each ethnic group, all organizations and groups of the country, armed forces, every Party and social organization, every company, must forge a common consciousness of the Chinese nation according to law and the constitution, and take the responsibility of building this consciousness.”
However, academics and external observers are raising concerns that the legislation could undermine the cultural identity of ethnic minorities. Provisions within the law are believed to require the use of Mandarin in compulsory education and establish a legal basis to pursue individuals or organizations outside China whose actions are deemed to compromise “ethnic unity.”
Experts like James Leibold, a professor at Australia’s La Trobe University, suggest the new measure “puts a death nail in the party’s original promise of meaningful autonomy.” Harvard University legal scholar Rayhan Asat also criticized the law, stating it “serves as a strategic tool and gives the pretext to government to commit all sorts of human rights violations.”
China’s population, as of November 2020, stands at 1.44 billion, with Han Chinese making up 91.11% and ethnic minority groups comprising 8.89%.
Read More About This Story:
- China passes ‘ethnic unity’ law in push for assimilation (foxnews.com)