Global Condemnation of China's 'National Unity Law'; Groups Urge Taiwanese to Recognize 'Falsehood of Chinese Nation'

Taiwanese human rights organizations, along with Tibetan and Hong Kong communities residing in Taiwan, held a joint press conference at the Legislative Yuan to vehemently condemn China's newly implemented "National Unity and Progress Law." Demonstrating their opposition, they symbolically tore up the legislation.

The groups assert that the law, which took effect in July, is a tool for cultural assimilation, particularly targeting Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Hong Kong residents. They argue that Beijing uses the banner of "national unity" to enforce Hanification and attempts to impose an obligation of maintaining unification on the people of Taiwan.

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The CCP has been suppressing Tibetan culture and education for over 70 years. After signing the 17-article agreement, the CCP began to eliminate Tibetan culture and suppress Tibetans. Now, they have introduced the 'National Unity and Progress Law' to control Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Hong Kong people.

Tashi Tsering, Secretary-General of the Tibet Taiwan Human Rights Connection, criticized China's 70-year history of suppressing Tibetan culture and education. He noted that despite past agreements, China has systematically worked to eradicate Tibetan culture and suppress its people. The new law, he stated, is another attempt to control Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Hong Kongers. He mentioned the self-immolation of exile Tibetan Lhoga Rangzen as an act of protest against this law.

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This law is a legalization of transnational repression that infringes upon the sovereignty and human rights of various countries.

Legislator Fan Yun of the Democratic Progressive Party described the law as a "legalization of transnational repression" that infringes upon national sovereignty and human rights. She pointed out that while the "Anti-Secession Law" targeted Taiwanese independence, Beijing now considers even displaying the Republic of China flag as supporting independence, citing the case of celebrity Chou Tzu-yu. Fan argued that advocating for Tibetan culture or supporting Hong Kong could now be deemed as undermining national unity by the CCP. She urged Taiwan not to lag behind the global condemnation of this law.

Tsai Mei-li, president of the Taiwan Friends of Tibet Association, called the law an attempt at "cultural genocide" against Tibet, aimed at promoting Hanification. She detailed how Tibetan children are forced into boarding schools where Mandarin is the sole language of instruction, aiming to eradicate the Tibetan language and identity. She also criticized the Sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism, with Party cadres infiltrating monasteries and enforcing patriotic education. Tsai emphasized that the CCP seeks to create a homogenous, Han-dominated society and construct a fictional "Chinese nation," urging Taiwanese people to recognize its falsity and resist the concept of a "great Han chauvinist nation."

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This law is intended for the complete cultural genocide of Tibet. The CCP uses the unity law to comprehensively promote Hanification, which they have already started doing; this time, it is being legalized.

Lawyer Chang Ching-ju of the Judicial Reform Foundation highlighted Article 21 of the law, which sets national work objectives to enhance Taiwanese compatriots' sense of belonging, identity, and honor towards the "Chinese nation" and promote the inheritance of Chinese culture. She argued that Article 10, which lists maintaining unification as a legal obligation for Chinese citizens, is being unilaterally extended to Taiwanese people through Article 21, despite Taiwan not being part of the People's Republic of China. Chang warned that this could lead to individuals asserting Taiwan's sovereignty or identity being deemed violators of the "obligation to maintain unification" or accused of "damaging national unity," potentially facing repercussions when entering mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau.

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Article 21 lists 'enhancing Taiwanese compatriots' sense of belonging, identity, and honor towards the Chinese nation' as a national work objective, unilaterally setting identity for Taiwanese people.