The U.S. State Department condemned China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress for allowing the prosecution of people abroad [1].
U.S. officials said the law threatens free expression and enables extraterritorial repression of ethnic minorities and critics of the Chinese government [1, 2]. This legal shift expands Beijing's reach beyond its borders, potentially targeting individuals who advocate for ethnic rights from the safety of other nations [2].
The legislation officially came into force on July 1, 2024 [1, 3]. Under the new rules, Beijing can prosecute individuals for allegedly undermining national unity [1, 2]. The law allows the Chinese government to target people who promote ethnic identity or autonomy, even if those activities occur outside Chinese territory [2].
Beijing presented the law as an instrument of national cohesion and the integration of ethnic minorities [2]. However, rights groups and U.S. officials said the measure is a step toward forced assimilation [1, 2]. The law specifically creates risks for ethnic minorities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs, who may now face legal consequences in China for their activities abroad [3].
Washington said the law is a tool for repression [1]. The State Department said that the broad language of the law allows the government to criminalize peaceful dissent and cultural expression [1, 2]. By claiming jurisdiction over those outside its borders, China is extending its internal security apparatus to a global scale [2].
The move follows a pattern of increasing legal restrictions on ethnic minority groups within China. This new law formalizes the state's ability to punish those who do not integrate into the national identity as defined by the central government [2].
“The law is a step toward forced assimilation and gives Beijing authority to prosecute critics abroad.”
This legislation represents a significant expansion of China's legal jurisdiction, moving from domestic control to extraterritorial enforcement. By criminalizing the 'undermining of national unity' globally, Beijing is attempting to silence the diaspora and international advocates for ethnic minorities. This increases the diplomatic tension between the U.S. and China regarding human rights and the sovereignty of legal systems.
