China's New Ethnic Unity Law Takes Effect July 1, Prompting International Criticism

China passed the so‑called "Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law" in March, with the legislation scheduled to take effect on 1 July. The law mandates the promotion of a single national identity, expands Mandarin use, requires religious institutions to follow a "China‑centric" doctrine, and bans interference with marriage based on ethnicity, custom or faith. It also contains a clause that allows Chinese authorities to pursue overseas individuals or organisations deemed to be undermining ethnic unity, raising concerns about cross‑border repression.

Human‑rights lawyers and foreign observers have described the measure as a tool for political control rather than a genuine protection of minority cultures. Chinese officials, including senior officials from the United Front Work Department and the Ministry of Justice, defended the law as a legal implementation of President Xi Jinping’s vision of a unified Chinese nation. Meanwhile, activist groups have mobilised a global action week starting 24 June to protest the law’s impact on Tibetans, Uyghurs, Inner Mongolians and other minorities.