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'National Unity Promotion Law' to take effect tomorrow; civic groups slam '426 clause' design

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Taiwan-based civic groups criticize China's "Law on the Promotion of National Unity and Progress" as a "426 clause" for political propaganda.
  • The law, effective July 1, aims to foster a sense of belonging to the Chinese nation among Taiwanese compatriots.
  • Critics argue the law is a tool for legal warfare, ideological export, and cross-border democratic infiltration.

Taiwanese civic groups have strongly condemned China's upcoming "Law on the Promotion of National Unity and Progress," set to take effect on July 1, labeling it a "426 clause" designed for political propaganda and ideological infiltration. At a press conference in Taipei, the groups argued that China is weaponizing the law to advance its political agenda and exert influence.

The 'Law on the Promotion of National Unity and Progress' will be fully launched tomorrow. China claims it is a progressive law, but we can see that China is weaponizing the law and legalizing its United Front work. National unity is determined by China.

— Luo Jun-xuanExplaining the civic groups' concerns about the law's intent and implementation.

Taiwan North Society President Luo Jun-xuan stated that the law's provisions, particularly Article 21, aim to "promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchange and cooperation, enhance Taiwanese compatriots' sense of belonging, identity, and honor to the Chinese nation, and strengthen the understanding that they belong to the same Chinese nation and are Chinese people." Luo criticized this as an attempt at "brainwashing" and "cognitive warfare" through legal means.

Further criticism targets Article 41, which mandates that United Front work departments coordinate efforts to promote national unity and the "Chinese national community" concept. Article 63, establishing an extraterritorial accountability mechanism, was also highlighted. Luo argued that these articles, combined, form the "426 clause," representing China's legal warfare strategy. He expressed concern that organizations like the "Taiwan Compatriots Friendship Association" are now legally mandated to promote the concept of a shared Chinese national identity, potentially turning cross-strait exchanges into tools for Beijing's agenda.

Article 21 attempts to establish a national identity engineering project. This is legal warfare and cognitive warfare. Article 41 is to complete the legalization of the United Front. Article 63 establishes an extraterritorial accountability mechanism. These three articles together mark the actions of China's legal warfare, which we call the '426 clause'.

— Luo Jun-xuanDetailing the specific articles criticized and the rationale behind the "426 clause" label.

International relations scholar Chen Wen-chia echoed these concerns, calling the law a national security tool for cross-border suppression and intimidation. He warned that the law's vague language grants broad discretion to enforcers and could be used to threaten foreign businesses and deter dissent among Taiwanese. Chen urged Taiwan to collaborate with the United States and Japan to condemn China's actions.

This law is a national security tool for cross-border suppression and uses this to intimidate Taiwan, making Taiwanese people self-censor and afraid to speak out. It also has the intention of intimidating foreign businesses.

— Chen Wen-chiaAnalyzing the law's broader implications for national security and international relations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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