TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China’s new ethnic unity law could create legal risks for people abroad who criticize Beijing over Taiwan, religion, or ethnic issues, Japanese magazine President reported Sunday.
China’s National People’s Congress passed the Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law on March 12. The law will take effect on July 1.
The law has 65 articles and aims to strengthen what Beijing calls a shared Chinese national identity. It covers education, language, publishing, the internet, business activity, religion, overseas messaging, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities.
Critics say the law goes beyond ethnic policy inside China. They say its broad wording could give Beijing another legal tool to pressure people, groups, and companies outside China.
Article 63 has drawn particular concern because it refers to groups and individuals outside China. Critics say this means Beijing may claim the right to punish people abroad for speech or actions it sees as damaging ethnic unity.
The article says people who undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division may face legal responsibility. Critics say the concern is that this could include comments about Uyghurs, Tibetans, religion, or Taiwan.
Japanese commentator Shirakawa Tsukasa said the wording could affect Japanese citizens, reporters, researchers, politicians, and companies. He said Beijing could treat some criticism of China’s policies as support for separatism.
Shirakawa said the law also creates new risks for foreign businesses in China. Companies may face pressure if they investigate forced labor concerns, review supply chains, or move production out of China.
The report said this could put companies in a difficult position. They may need to meet international human rights standards while also avoiding punishment under Chinese law.
Taiwan is part of the concern because the law promotes the idea of one Chinese national community. Shirakawa said Beijing could use the law to target statements supporting Taiwan, though how it would enforce the law abroad remains unclear.
China says the law is meant to promote unity and development among different ethnic groups. Critics say its broad language could restrict speech, research, reporting, and business decisions.
The report compared the law with Hong Kong’s national security law, which also claims power over some actions outside China. It said the new law may increase concern among foreign governments and companies about the risks of working in China.
