China Defends Ethnic Unity Law as US, EU Denounce Curbs on 2 Minority Groups
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 3
China Defends Ethnic Unity Law as US, EU Denounce Curbs on 2 Minority Groups
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 3
Summary
China on Friday accused the United States and European Union of “maliciously slandering” its policies as it defended a new ethnic unity law that took effect Wednesday.
The law gives Beijing broad power to target people and groups at home and overseas that it says undermine national unity or incite ethnic division, alarming Tibetan and Uyghur activists who fear extradition or repatriation efforts.
Demonstrations have followed in Washington and Brussels, and a Tibetan activist died after setting himself on fire outside U.N. headquarters in New York on Thursday.
Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie called the measure “legitimate, legal, necessary,” while rights groups and Western officials say it will further erode protections for minorities under Xi Jinping’s tighter ethnic policies.
Is China's new 'ethnic unity' law a 'lawfare' tactic to reshape global rules and silence international dissent?
China's new law targets critics worldwide. Are international travelers and academics now at risk of detention for their views?
China’s 2026 Ethnic Unity Law: International Condemnation, Transnational Repression, and the Fight for Minority Rights
Overview
China's 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law,' enacted in July 2026, immediately triggered global concern and condemnation due to its broad and controversial provisions. The law's vague language and potential for extraterritorial application alarmed international bodies, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who warned it could severely restrict freedoms such as language, education, and cultural expression. Critics argue that these provisions enable the Chinese government to penalize peaceful minority activities and target individuals abroad, creating a chilling effect on dissent and cultural preservation. The law's immediate fallout highlights fears of increased repression and shrinking space for minority rights.