China's Law on Ethnic Unity to Take Effect; Lee Ming-che: Severe Challenge to Taiwan's Democracy

(CNA Taipei, June 29) China's "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" will officially take effect on July 1. Human rights activist Lee Ming-che pointed out that this law represents a further escalation of China's totalitarian rule and will pose a severe challenge to Taiwan's democracy.

On the evening of June 28, Lee Ming-che discussed the impact of the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" on his personal Facebook account.

Lee Ming-che stated that all the provisions in the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" do not seem to indicate that China will adopt any "new" approaches, but rather are a declaration of China's past work achievements. The only difference is that what was previously an "unwritten rule" will now be openly "enforced as state law." The concept of the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" has shifted from a "political" and "spiritual" understanding to a "legal" declaration.

He believes that in terms of national identity, by replacing "citizens" with "ethnic groups," in the future, anyone who possesses the "bloodline of the 'Chinese nation' as defined by China," regardless of their location or nationality, must promote the overall interests of the "Chinese nation." The promotion of these overall interests must also adhere to the comprehensive leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. Such a declaration is equivalent to formally responding to external criticism of China's "transnational repression."

Lee Ming-che also pointed out that such a law symbolizes a further escalation of China's totalitarian rule, moving from controlling people's "behavior" to controlling people's "thoughts." This control encompasses all aspects of people's lives, with every step of the lives of the Chinese nation being regulated. A regime with such totalitarian rule is unprecedented in human history.

Regarding the challenge to Taiwan, Lee Ming-che stated that because China excessively emphasizes Taiwan's belonging to the "Chinese nation," it paradoxically creates a dilemma for the Chinese government's rule. If Taiwan is part of the Chinese nation and Taiwanese people are Chinese, and if democratic politics allows Taiwan's society to achieve greater fairness, social welfare, educational development, and a smaller wealth gap than China, then the Chinese government will face an ultimate question: "Why can't Chinese people enjoy democracy?"

Lee Ming-che said that the legitimacy of the Chinese government's rule will be severely undermined, which is why the Chinese government wishes to shift the legitimacy of its regime from economic development to ethnic identity. More importantly, the Chinese government will spare no effort to undermine Taiwan's democracy. Only by the collapse of Taiwan's democratic politics can the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party's rule be truly consolidated. This is what Taiwan should be most vigilant about regarding the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress."

China's "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" will take effect on July 1, raising concerns overseas about its "long-arm jurisdiction." Hu Weilie, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, recently stated that the relevant regulations are to resist various illegal acts related to ethnic affairs from abroad and do not affect normal cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. (Editor: Lu Jia-rong / Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150629

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