BEIJING – China legislature passed a new law on Thursday aimed at promoting a “shared” national identity among the country’s 55 officially recognised ethnic minorities groups, a move critics say risks eroding minority cultures and punishing dissent as separatism.
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The “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress” law was approved at the closing session of the annual National People’s Congress meeting with 2,756 votes in favor, three opposed, and three abstentions. State media reported that the law will come into effect on July 1, 2026.
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China officially recognises 56 ethnic groups, with the Han majority making up over 91 per cent of the 1.4 billion population. Minority groups, including Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongols, Hui, and Manchus, primarily live in resource-rich regions covering roughly half of China’s land area.
The law seeks to foster integration through education, housing, migration policies, community life, culture, tourism, and development initiatives. It mandates Mandarin as the primary language of instruction in schools, government, and official matters. In public spaces where minority languages are used alongside Mandarin, the latter must take precedence.
The legislation also emphasizes the “Sinicization” of religion, requiring religious schools, institutions, and venues to align with state policy. It prohibits restrictions on marriage based on ethnicity, custom, or religion, aiming to encourage interethnic unions.
Experts say the law signals a strong push toward assimilation. Allen Carlson, a Cornell University scholar, said it clarifies that non-Han populations must integrate with the Han majority and show loyalty to Beijing.
The law incorporates clauses on anti-separatism, border security, and social stability. It holds organisations and individuals outside China accountable for acts undermining ethnic unity.
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State media, however, defended the legislation, highlighting its consultations with lawmakers and minority representatives. China Daily emphasised that the law protects cultural traditions while promoting economic development, claiming that minorities do not have to choose between the two.