China has unveiled new ethnic unity and language laws, framing them as national security measures to strengthen social cohesion and promote Mandarin, even as critics warn the changes could further squeeze minority cultures and languages
China has just unveiled a set of new laws aimed at strengthening ethnic unity and promoting the use of standard Mandarin, all framed from what lawmakers call a “national security perspective.”
The moves, combining proposed changes on ethnic affairs with updates to the nation’s language law, reflect Beijing’s broader priorities of social cohesion and cultural integration, as reported to the South China Morning Post.
The draft Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress recently cleared its second review by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislative body, and will be open for public comments until January 25. At the same time, revisions to the Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language—the first in 25 years—were formally passed and are set to take effect on New Year’s Day.
Unity and mandarin at the core
Legislators and state media have been stressing that these laws are about building what Beijing calls a “strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.” That phrase, often repeated in official circles, ties directly into President Xi Jinping’s longtime push for tighter social bonds and shared cultural values across China’s diverse ethnic landscape.
Supporters of the new approach argue a common language not only helps economic development and stability, but also ensures smoother communication and social harmony, especially in regions with significant minority populations.
Under the draft ethnic unity bill, there are provisions to protect national symbols like the flag, anthem, and emblem, and to bolster patriotic education. The language law update goes further by defining standard Chinese clearly as the “statutory common national language” and warning that anyone who obstructs citizens’ ability to learn and use it may face penalties.
One notable point in the draft rules is a requirement that educational institutions use standard Mandarin as the basic language for teaching, a move that supporters say will help children from all backgrounds share equal opportunities.
International human rights groups and analysts have expressed concern that such laws, particularly around language use, could further marginalize local languages and cultures, especially in sensitive regions like Tibet and Xinjiang. Critics worry that policies aimed at unity may come at the expense of cultural diversity.
Beijing, for its part, maintains that the laws are about balance: preserving minority culture while promoting national integration and stability.
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