Taiwan Warns Against China's New Ethnic Unity Law

The Government of China enacted the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, which takes effect on July 1. Approved by the National People's Congress in March, the legislation aims to strengthen a unified national identity by holding individuals and organizations legally liable for undermining ethnic unity or promoting separatism.

Taiwanese officials and civic groups have raised alarms over Article 63, which extends Chinese legal jurisdiction to those outside its borders. Liang Wen-chieh, deputy head of the Mainland Affairs Council, argued that the law relies on vaguely defined legal concepts that could induce self-censorship and lead to the detention of individuals for online comments. He specifically cited the precedent of Taiwanese citizens being detained in Hong Kong or China for supporting pro-democracy protests.

Critics, including the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights, warn the law may be used for transnational repression through sanctions, travel restrictions, and economic pressure. Concerns center on the potential targeting of journalists, academics, and politicians who support Taiwanese independence or advocate for human rights in Tibet and Xinjiang.

Chinese Vice Minister of Justice Hu Weilie defended the overseas provisions as lawful and necessary. However, the government of Taiwan views this legal expansion as mirroring the 2020 National Security Law in Hong Kong and suggests it may establish a political foundation preceding potential military action toward Taiwan.