China passes 'ethnic unity' law in push for assimilation

China's legislature passed the "Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law" on Thursday in Beijing, formalizing the government's push for national identity and ethnic integration. The law aims to foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and promote common prosperity among its 56 ethnic groups. It requires all organizations and individuals to forge a common Chinese national consciousness. Critics, including academics and legal scholars, say the law could undermine the cultural identity of ethnic minorities, potentially through mandatory Mandarin education and by establishing a legal basis to pursue those deemed to undermine "ethnic unity," even outside of China. The law comes as China's population is comprised of approximately 91% Han Chinese and 9% ethnic minorities.

China's National People's Congress (NPC) has formally endorsed the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. The law, passed with near-unanimous support, aims to create a legal framework for assimilating minority groups and countering Western ideological influence. The NPC also approved the Ecological and Environmental Code and the outline of the 15th five-year plan for national economic and social development (2026-2030). A resolution on the 2026 central and local budgets, which prioritizes spending on science, diplomacy, and defense, was also approved. These legislative actions occurred during the annual "two sessions" in Beijing.

Hong Kong is expected to increase education on Chinese history and culture, focusing on national security, as China's National People's Congress prepares to pass a law promoting ethnic unity. The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress aims to strengthen national identity and common prosperity among China's ethnic groups. Article 21 of the draft law outlines Beijing's support for Hong Kong to introduce national education to foster residents' awareness of safeguarding national interests. Experts suggest Hong Kong should incorporate ethnic unity into its national education curriculum, regardless of the law's inclusion in Annex III of the Basic Law. The law is expected to be passed at the closing session of the 14th NPC.

China's National People's Congress (NPC) is expected to approve a new "ethnic unity" law during its annual two sessions gathering, alongside an environmental code and the 15th five-year plan. The NPC, known for its consistent approval of agenda items, will vote on the laws after a week of debate. The ethnic unity law mandates the prioritization of Mandarin in schools and public signage, potentially diminishing the use of minority languages like Tibetan, Uyghur, and Mongolian. This law aligns with President Xi Jinping's policy of "sinicization," aiming to assimilate ethnic minorities into the Han Chinese culture. The two sessions also highlighted China's historically low 4.5% GDP growth target for 2026, reflecting shifting economic priorities.

At its annual National People's Congress in Beijing on March 11, 2026, China positioned itself as a force for global stability amidst international uncertainty. The Congress endorsed a five-year plan focused on transforming China's economy and leading in technological development. State media emphasized China's commitment to economic development as a stabilizing influence in a turbulent world, particularly as the country vies with the United States for dominance in cutting-edge technologies. While acknowledging the impact of global events like the Iran war, China is prioritizing its long-term economic and technological goals. The Congress signals China's intent to continue its current trajectory despite global geopolitical shifts.

China's central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), issued cybersecurity and AI usage warnings for the financial sector at its annual technology conference in Beijing on Wednesday. The PBOC called for increased cybersecurity resilience and data security, emphasizing a "proactive yet prudent" approach to AI deployment. The bank's 2024 technology agenda prioritizes risk mitigation, tighter supervision, and high-quality development through preemptive policies and regulatory refinement. While encouraging technological integration in banking to unlock digital development potential, the PBOC aims to ensure a safe and orderly transition, reflecting its long-standing policy. The meeting included participation from PBOC department heads, branch leaders, and Deputy Governor Zou Lan.

China's National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its annual meeting on March 12, 2026, approving the 15th five-year plan, an economic roadmap for 2026-2030. Nearly 3,000 delegates formally approved an economic growth target of "4.5 to 5 percent", the lowest in nearly 30 years, excluding the pandemic period. The plan includes targets for inflation, fiscal deficit, and unemployment, aiming for China to become a "moderately developed" country by 2035 with a GDP per capita of $20,000. China intends to address economic challenges like the property sector collapse and deflation through industrial self-reliance and state support for key industries, including AI and advanced technologies. The plan also focuses on expanding the use of the digital yuan (e-CNY) for cross-border payments.