China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, a new 65-article piece of legislation, has officially been in effect since July 1, 2026. Passed on March 12, 2026, under President Xi Jinping, the law seeks to establish a shared sense of community for the Chinese nation among ethnic groups such as Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Mongolians. However, the legislation has faced criticism from rights groups and international officials regarding its impact on language, religion, and identity.
The law introduces several key shifts in policy. Under Article 15, Mandarin is given priority in government affairs and education, even when used alongside minority languages. In terms of religious oversight, Article 46 requires religious groups and places of worship to follow the policy of Sinicization of religion and adapt to socialist society. This has raised concerns that state control over religious practices, including Tibetan Buddhism, may increase.
One of the most scrutinized aspects is Article 63, which extends the law's jurisdiction beyond China's borders. This provision states that individuals living outside China could face legal consequences if Beijing determines their actions undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division. The law also links ethnic affairs to national security, targeting what it defines as separatism, extremism, and terrorism both domestically and abroad.
Beijing officials have defended the law as a means of protection and development. Spokesperson Liu Chang stated that the law aims to safeguard ethnic harmony, social stability, and national security by targeting unlawful acts that incite separatism. The Chinese Embassy in Washington urged parties to stop making what they described as unwarranted criticisms of China's ethnic policies.
Critics and regional experts expressed significant concerns regarding the law's long-term implications. Sinologist Frank Lehberger described the law as a concretization of repressive ethnic policy. Geostrategist Brahma Chellaney suggested the law provides a framework for shifting demographics by moving Han Chinese into minority-heavy areas while relocating minorities to the Chinese interior.
James Leibold of La Trobe University noted that minority identity may become something managed and disciplined by the state through bureaucratic means. Bhuchung Tsering of the International Campaign for Tibet noted that the law could change the bilingual education system in Tibetan areas by making Mandarin the medium of instruction. Additionally, former political prisoner Tsemoling Penpa expressed the view that the law's intention is the erasure of Tibetan identity.
The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, has called on China to repeal the law, warning it risks violating international treaties China has ratified. The law's impact is expected to be felt for years across Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia.
