China has rejected criticism from the United States and the European Union over a new law concerning the promotion of ethnic unity and progress. Beijing described Western concerns as a “malicious smear” and said the law is intended to strengthen domestic stability and national unity.
According to Reuters, concern in the West centers on provisions of the law that could allow Chinese authorities to use legal mechanisms against individuals or groups outside China’s borders whom Beijing links to undermining ethnic unity, encouraging separatism, or interfering in China’s internal affairs.
Critics say the law could become another instrument of China’s extraterritorial legal pressure, particularly in relation to issues involving Xinjiang, Tibet, or other ethnically sensitive regions. The United States and the European Union have argued that such provisions create additional risks for human rights, freedom of expression, and the safety of activists living abroad.
Chinese authorities maintain that the law is not directed against any specific ethnic group. Beijing’s position is that its purpose is to strengthen unity among ethnic groups, protect social stability, and prevent separatist activities.
The controversy surrounding the new law once again highlights tensions between China and the West over human rights, national security, and the international implications of China’s domestic policies.
