China's National People's Congress has approved legislation, referred to as the "ethnic unity" law, which formalizes policies to promote Mandarin as the "national common language" for official purposes, including education and public affairs. Under the new law, educational institutions are now required to teach in Mandarin, and teenagers must achieve a "basic grasp" of the language upon completing their compulsory education.

The law also stipulates that it can be applied extraterritorially, meaning individuals outside China who "engage in activities that undermine ethnic unity" or incite "ethnic separatism" may face legal liability. This provision is seen as a response to long-standing allegations that the Chinese government has sought to force the assimilation of minority groups into the Han majority.

China officially recognizes 55 ethnic minorities within its borders, who speak hundreds of languages and dialects. While no minority languages are explicitly mentioned in the law, it is expected to primarily affect speakers of Uyghur, Mongolian, and Tibetan languages. Regions with large minority populations, such as Tibet and Inner Mongolia, have already implemented Mandarin as the mandatory language of instruction.

Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have criticized the law, warning that it could further marginalize minority communities. Maya Wang, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stated that the law is not about ensuring equality: "The question was never so much about ensuring their participation in the economy in a more equitable, inclusive manner," because policies are being imposed on Tibetans and others. She added, "A truly inclusive model does not preclude the ability of children to speak two languages."

The stated purpose of the law is to "strengthen cohesion" within China in response to what it describes as unprecedented social changes. However, critics argue that this move threatens cultural diversity and minority languages, potentially exacerbating ethnic tensions and undermining the rights of indigenous peoples in the long term.

Source: www.dw.com