Experts raise concern over China’s ‘ethnic unity’ law

Taiwanese academics and civic groups have voiced serious concerns regarding China's upcoming "Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law," set to take effect next Wednesday. The law's extraterritorial provisions have raised alarms about potential legal and political risks for Taiwanese citizens, particularly those with significant ties to mainland China.

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Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung spoke at event on June 11.

A senior Chinese official confirmed Beijing's right to target individuals outside its borders who contravene the new law. Article 63 of the legislation states that organizations and individuals outside China engaging in acts that "undermine ethnic unity and progress or promote ethnic separatism shall be held legally liable." Hung Pu-chao, deputy head of Tunghai University’s Center for Mainland China and Regional Development Research, warned that this could lead to entry bans, sanctions, public shaming, and business pressure on Taiwanese. He noted that frequent travelers, those with jobs or investments in China, academics, journalists, and civic groups could be particularly vulnerable.

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Those who frequently travel across the Taiwan Strait, or who have jobs, investments or family ties in China, could be among the first affected, adding that academics, journalists, civic groups and public commentators could face greater political risks.

Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung previously indicated that while the law targets ethnic minorities within China, its broad language on promoting ethnic unity and national unification could extend into cross-strait affairs. A national security official anonymously stated that Beijing could interpret issues concerning Taiwan's sovereignty or human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet as acts undermining ethnic unity. This interpretation could potentially deem Taiwanese academics arguing against China's sovereignty, foreign media reporting on Xinjiang, or foreign politicians supporting Taiwan's international participation as illegal under the new law.

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In China’s political context, issues involving Taiwan’s sovereignty and human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet could all be deemed acts that “undermine ethnic unity.”

The Taiwan Alliance, a coalition of pro-Taiwan civic groups, condemned the law as "a tool for transnational repression." Conversely, a Chinese Vice Minister of Justice defended the practice of targeting overseas individuals as standard international legal practice. The concerns highlight the potential for China to leverage domestic legislation for political pressure and control beyond its borders, particularly in sensitive cross-strait relations.

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Taiwan Alliance, a coalition of pro-Taiwan civic groups, expressed its “strong condemnation and deep concern” over the law, describing it as “a tool for transnational repression.”