On March 12, China’s National People’s Congress passed the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. The legislation calls for greater integration among ethnic groups through policies related to education, housing, population mobility, community life, culture, tourism, and economic development. The law states that its goal is to strengthen national unity under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and foster a shared national identity among China’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities, as part of efforts to achieve the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Critics argue that the measure could further erode the identities of non-Han ethnic groups and potentially allow authorities to label those who question such “unity” as separatists subject to legal punishment.
The law stipulates that Mandarin will be the primary language used in schools as well as in government and official affairs. In public settings where Mandarin and minority languages are used together, the law requires that the national common language be given prominence in terms of placement and order. In practice, the legislation establishes at the national level that minority languages cannot serve as the primary language of instruction. In regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, authorities have already significantly reduced opportunities for students to receive education in their native languages, despite strong opposition and protests from students, teachers, and parents.
The law also prohibits interference with freedom of marriage on the grounds of ethnic identity, customs, or religious beliefs, with the stated aim of encouraging interethnic marriage. It further calls for the development of “inter-embedded community environments.” Some scholars warn that this policy could lead to the dispersal of ethnic minority communities, as it appears designed to encourage Han Chinese and other ethnic groups to move into each other’s neighborhoods.
The legislation also requires religious organizations, religious schools, and places of worship to “adhere to the direction of the Sinicization of religion.” Ethnic affairs are incorporated into China’s broader social governance framework, with provisions covering anti-separatism measures, border security, risk prevention, and social stability. The law also states that foreign organizations and individuals who engage in activities that undermine ethnic unity or incite ethnic division may face legal consequences.
Source: Deutsche Welle, March 12, 2026
https://www.dw.com/zh/中国人大通过民族团结进步促进法-引发少数民族人权担忧/a-76331516