(Beijing — October 3, 2025) The draft for a new law is currently under review by the Chinese government, and it has raised serious concerns among international human rights organizations. Critics argue that the draft, titled the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, would create an unprecedented legal framework for suppressing minority languages, cultures, and religious beliefs, while expanding the Chinese Communist Party’s total control over social ideology and even extending beyond China’s borders.
The draft, containing 62 articles, was submitted to the National People’s Congress on September 8. Officials claim the law aims to “implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thinking on ethnic affairs” in order to “promote the common prosperity and development of all ethnic groups along the path of rule of law.” Observers, however, point out that the draft attempts to establish a unified ethnic ideology and institutionalize the Party’s dominance over the state.
Legalization of a Unified Ideology
At its core, the draft emphasizes the promotion of the so-called “common consciousness of the Chinese nation,” requiring this ideology to permeate all aspects, such as education, religion, historical narratives, cultural activities, the tourism industry, news media, and online platforms.
Article 20 of the draft further stipulates that parents and guardians bear a legal responsibility to “educate and guide minors to love the Chinese Communist Party” and to “foster the concept of the Chinese nation as one family,” while prohibiting the transmission of any ideas deemed to bring “damages to ethnic unity.” Such provisions highlight the government’s attempt to extend political education deep into family life.
Article 44 of the draft goes further by granting enterprises, industry associations, foundations, and religious organizations, among other non-governmental institutions, the obligation to promote CCP ideology, mobilizing the entire social structure to participate in the “ethnic unity” project.
Mandarin First, Mother Tongues Marginalized
The most controversial provisions of the draft involve systemic changes in language policy. Article 15 of the draft clearly stipulates that the “national common language and script shall take the lead,” requiring that a Mandarin version must accompany all official documents issued in minority languages.
The law mandates that children begin receiving Mandarin education from preschool, and that they “basically master” Mandarin proficiency by the completion of compulsory education. This provision effectively cancels the clause in the 1984 Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law that guaranteed minorities the right to “use and develop their own spoken and written languages.”
In Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, restrictions on mother-tongue education have already been enforced in recent years, sparking strong resistance from teachers, parents, and students. The draft law could legalize these measures and push them out nationwide.
Suppression Under Vague Charges
The draft prohibits any act that “damages ethnic unity” but does not define concrete standards. Human Rights Watch warns that this vague language could continue to serve as a tool to suppress dissent.
In Tibet, speech advocating the protection of local languages or questioning large-scale Han migration is often accused of “damaging ethnic unity” and punished with detention. In Xinjiang, under the banner of “strike hard” campaigns, religious practices such as studying the Quran without official permission have been labeled “ideological viruses” and criminalized. Critics worry that the draft will provide legal justification for similar measures and further entrench systemic repression of Uyghur culture and religious life.
Extension of Control Abroad
The draft not only focuses on the domestic sphere but also explicitly expresses the intention to intervene in overseas public opinion and ideology. Article 17 states that the government will promote the consciousness of “belonging to the Chinese nation” among “Taiwan compatriots” and overseas Chinese communities through international academic exchanges, cooperation with civic groups, and partnerships with think tanks.
More controversial is Article 61, which states that the People’s Republic of China has the right to hold “organizations and individuals outside the territory of the People’s Republic of China” legally accountable if they are deemed to “undermine national unity and progress or incite ethnic separatism.” Critics argue that this provision is equivalent to paving the way for cross-border suppression of dissent.
In recent years, Beijing authorities have frequently exerted diplomatic and economic pressure, demanding that foreign institutions use “Xizang” instead of “Tibet,” and have continued to harass overseas Tibetans, Uyghurs, and their supporters. In July of this year, a Chinese student was arrested by Chinese authorities on charges of “inciting separatism” after showing support for Tibetan rights abroad, drawing international concern.
International Response and Appeals
ChinaAid and several international human rights organizations believe that the legislation of this draft will intensify the oppression of ethnic minorities and further erode the already shrinking space for free expression and cultural freedom in Chinese society.
Against the backdrop of growing global scrutiny of China’s human rights record, the draft could become another highly contentious symbol. Analysts warn that if the draft is ultimately passed, it will mark a significant turning point in Beijing’s ideological control and ethnic policies, with an impact that will extend far beyond its borders.
Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai for ChinaAid
