Chinese democracy groups condemn new Ethnic Unity Law

Overseas Chinese pro-democracy organizations, scholars, and activists held a conference in Flushing, New York, to condemn China’s newly implemented Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. The forum, organized by Beijing Spring magazine, the Chinese Alliance for Democracy, and the Executive Committee of the China Democracy Party, coincided with celebrations for Taiwan’s Double Ten National Day.

Speakers at the event, including Hu Ping and various scholars, argued that the legislation serves to strengthen Beijing’s assimilation policies. Critics allege the law threatens the cultural, religious, and political rights of ethnic minorities by enforcing Mandarin Chinese as the primary medium of instruction and implementing mechanisms to hold individuals accountable for actions deemed to undermine ethnic unity from abroad.

While the law does not explicitly mention specific religious figures or institutions, participants expressed concern that its implications will undermine ethnic identities, such as Tibetan, and facilitate the erosion of traditional minority languages and customs.