China implements law requiring minorities conform to CCP cultural, religious guidelines

China's Communist Party (CCP) has enacted a sweeping law designed to regulate the cultural, religious, and linguistic practices of the nation's ethnic minorities. Officially titled the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting National Unity and Progress," the legislation mandates that all citizens and institutions safeguard national unity and solidarity.

The law requires ethnic minorities to educate children to "love the Communist Party of China." It criminalizes sharing any ideas deemed "detrimental to national unity and progress" by the CCP. The party intends to "guide" minorities toward state-established "correct views" on religion, culture, history, and the party itself.

While the law claims to protect minority religious and cultural practices, it also promotes the "transformation of customs and habits." The government will instill CCP-determined "good customs" into daily life, social interactions, weddings, and funerals. Minority religious institutes must "guide religion to adapt to socialist society" and adhere to the "Sinicization of religion in China."

The statute also reinforces the dominance of Mandarin Chinese, requiring its use in all educational settings. This law impacts China's 55 government-recognized ethnic minorities, who constitute just under 9% of the population, with the Han Chinese making up approximately 91%.