Is China’s new ethnic unity law a step towards forced assimilation?

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificWorld CupMiddle EastExplainedOpinionVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomySportHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelSponsored Contentplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftTrendingUS-Israel war on IranWorld Cup 2026Tracking Israel's ceasefire violationsDonald Trumpcaret-rightplay videoplay videoVideo Duration 27 minutes 55 seconds play-arrow27:55Inside StoryIs China’s new ethnic unity law a step towards forced assimilation?The government says the law will help forge a shared national identity. Beijing’s new ethnic unity law has taken effect. It strengthens Mandarin’s position as the primary language of education, official business and public spaces across China. The government says the law’s provisions on social cohesion and preventing separatism benefit everyone. But activists abroad say it will further erode the rights of groups such as Uighurs and Tibetans. They are also warning against a clause that states China can take action against those who violate the law outside of the country. Taiwan has echoed this criticism. Its government warns the law could be used to target people there who are critical of Beijing. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoMore from the same showCould water become a flashpoint between Islamabad and New Delhi?Video Duration 28 minutes 30 seconds play-arrow28:30Can Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces take control of el-Obeid?Video Duration 27 minutes 45 seconds play-arrow27:45How is South Africa dealing with immigration?Video Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00What’s behind the anti-corruption crackdown in Iraq?Video Duration 27 minutes 54 seconds play-arrow27:54Can the ICJ help end the war in the eastern DRC?Video Duration 28 minutes 30 seconds play-arrow28:30Why is Crimea critical to the Russia–Ukraine war?Video Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00How much disaster aid will the US provide to Venezuela?Video Duration 27 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow27:00AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: