Beijing Defends New Ethnic Unity Law Amid International Pushback

The law, which officially took effect Wednesday, provides a legal framework for Beijing to exert influence beyond its borders. A specific clause grants authorities the power to pursue individuals or groups outside China deemed to be undermining ethnic unity or inciting separatism. This expansion of jurisdiction targets groups such as Tibetans and Uyghurs, populations that have historically resisted Chinese governance through protests.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun defended the legislation, arguing that it strengthens the rule of law and improves human rights governance. During a press briefing, Guo dismissed international skepticism as political manipulation rooted in ideological bias. He urged foreign powers to cease what he described as the fabrication of information regarding China’s internal social policies, insisting that the law is strictly an instrument for national stability.