How China's New Ethnic Unity Law Could Affect Taiwan｜TaiwanPlus News
Why It Matters
The law raises cross-border legal and political risks by potentially providing Beijing a legal pretext to prosecute or sanction Taiwanese people and dissidents abroad, escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait and hardening Chinese policy toward Taiwan. This codification of tougher measures could constrain Taiwan’s political space and complicate international responses to Chinese pressure.
Summary
China’s top legislature has approved a new Ethnic Unity Law designed to assimilate the country’s 55 recognized minority groups under a singular national identity and criminalize actions deemed to undermine ethnic unity. The law imposes duties on all Chinese to safeguard national unity and sovereignty, and extends criminal liability to those, including foreigners, who carry out ‘separatist activities.’ Though Taiwan is mentioned only briefly, officials and analysts warn Beijing could apply the law extraterritorially to target Taiwanese individuals or activists it accuses of advocating independence. Observers view the measure as part of a broader trend of Beijing codifying tougher, legally enforceable policies aimed at curbing Taiwan separatism.
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