China's New 'National Unity' Law Escalates Authoritarianism, Threatens Taiwan: Activist

Taiwanese human rights advocate Lee Ming-che has issued a stark warning regarding China's upcoming "Law on Promoting National Unity and Progress," set to take effect on July 1. Lee contends that this legislation represents a significant escalation of China's authoritarian control, moving beyond regulating actions to dictating thoughts, and poses a severe challenge to Taiwan's democracy.

Lee highlighted that while much of the discussion surrounding the law focuses on China's oppression of ethnic minorities within its borders and the concept of "extraterritorial jurisdiction," the law fundamentally signals China's abandonment of "ethnic autonomy." He criticized the imposition of Mandarin Chinese over minority languages, the assimilation of minority cultures and religions, and the use of boarding schools to sever children's ties with their families and heritage.

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This law symbolizes a further upgrade of China's authoritarian rule, escalating from controlling people's 'behavior' to controlling people's 'thought.'

Furthermore, Lee pointed to China's use of overseas "police stations" and united front tactics to intimidate overseas Chinese communities, coerce them into serving Beijing's interests, and interfere in foreign elections. He also noted China's practice of sanctioning foreign politicians and organizations critical of its human rights record.

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The 'Law on Promoting National Unity and Progress' seems to contain no 'new' practices by China, but rather a declaration of China's past work achievements.

According to Lee, the "Law on Promoting National Unity and Progress" does not introduce new practices but rather codifies existing ones, transforming "unspoken rules" into explicit state law. This legal declaration, he explained, rebrands the concept of the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" from a political and spiritual pursuit to a legal mandate. The law emphasizes promoting the collective interests of the "Zhonghua Minzu" (Chinese nation) under the absolute leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, regardless of an individual's location or nationality, as long as they are deemed to have Chinese ethnic lineage.

Lee asserted that this law openly challenges the international legal system by framing "transnational repression" as an effort to promote the collective interests of the Chinese nation. He also warned that the law extends its reach into the "inner" thoughts and thinking patterns of individuals deemed part of the "Zhonghua Minzu," impacting all spheres of life, including commerce, culture, education, media, and even family relations. This comprehensive control, Lee argued, is unprecedented in human history.

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The only difference is that in the past it was 'unspoken rules,' but in the future it will be openly 'enforcing national laws.'

While Taiwan may not be the primary target, as China already applies its domestic laws to Taiwanese individuals, Lee cautioned that the law's inclusion of Taiwan is plausible. He questioned the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party's rule, suggesting that if Taiwan's democracy offers superior social fairness, welfare, education, and economic equality compared to mainland China, it would raise a fundamental question: "Why can't Chinese people have democracy?" Lee concluded that China's government is shifting its legitimacy from economic development to ethnic identity and will relentlessly undermine Taiwan's democracy to consolidate its own rule.

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Why can't Chinese people have democracy?