China's New Ethnic Unity Law Signals Shift Towards Assimilation, Countering Western Ideology

China has enacted a new law, the "Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress," effective July 1, which signals a significant shift in Beijing's approach to ethnic affairs. Scholars from the Central Party School indicate this move transitions the government's focus from managing concrete ethnic issues to promoting assimilation.

The "South China Morning Post" reported that the law establishes a framework designed to counter Western ideological influence and legally empower the assimilation of ethnic minorities. An article in "Beijing Daily" by Chen Shanshan, a scholar at the Central Party School, a key institution for training high-ranking officials and maintaining the Communist Party's ideological purity, explained this fundamental change. Chen stated that the law signifies a move from "transactional governance" of specific ethnic affairs to "holistic governance" centered on building a shared Chinese national identity.

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The formulation and implementation of this law mean that the focus of China's ethnic work is shifting from 'transactional governance' to 'holistic governance' with the construction of a Chinese national community as its core.

Beijing views ethnic issues as crucial for maintaining territorial integrity, development, and stability. President Xi Jinping has called for strengthening the "consciousness of the Chinese national community" among party members. The new law links ethnic affairs to the "overall national security concept" and highlights the role of patriotic education. It also mandates accountability for individuals and organizations, including those overseas, who "undermine ethnic unity or split the nation."

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In the past, ethnic integration work relied more on policy guidance, administrative promotion, typical examples, and practical accumulation. Now China has incorporated this principle into the system through legislation, meaning it has risen from a work requirement to a legal norm.

The legislation further promotes the use of standard Mandarin, with penalties for obstructing its adoption. This comes amid controversial policies in regions like Inner Mongolia, where Mandarin has replaced Mongolian as the primary language of instruction in core subjects, and stricter regulations on Mongolian cultural expression. Beijing defends these actions as balancing minority identity preservation with national integration for stability, a message reinforced by the new law.

Chen Shanshan noted that while past ethnic integration relied on policy guidance and administrative efforts, the new law codifies these principles into legal norms. This elevates the concept from a work requirement to a legal standard, ensuring consistency regardless of local government emphasis or temporal momentum. The law also aims to strengthen inter-ethnic connections and foster shared economic development. Beijing's policies toward ethnic minorities, particularly in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, have drawn international scrutiny, with accusations of cultural genocide and forced assimilation, which China vehemently denies. The European Parliament recently condemned the law, calling it institutionalized suppression and assimilation of minority identities. In response, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that some countries "maliciously smear China's ethnic policies and fabricate and spread false information," asserting the government's commitment to protecting minority cultures and languages.

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Some countries choose to maliciously smear China's ethnic policies and fabricate and spread false information. The Chinese government has always been committed to protecting minority cultures and legally ensuring the rights of all ethnic groups to use and develop their own languages and writing systems.