China's Law on Ethnic Unity Takes Effect; DPP: Democratic Society Should Stand Up and Reject Intimidation

(CNA, Taipei, July 1) DPP spokesperson Li Kun-cheng said today that China's "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" is an evil law with vague concepts and arbitrary standards. While it claims to "promote ethnic unity" on the surface, it actually legalizes authoritarian rule, thought censorship, and cross-border intimidation. When authoritarian hands reach out internationally, democratic societies should stand up and reject intimidation and self-censorship from becoming the new international order.

The DPP issued a press release stating that the Chinese government officially implemented the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" today. This law not only strengthens internal censorship but also attempts to intimidate friendly nations and international friends who support Taiwan, leaving Taiwan isolated in the international community.

Li Kun-cheng stated that this law is an evil law with vague concepts and arbitrary standards. The Chinese government has not clearly defined what constitutes undermining ethnic unity, creating ethnic division, or being detrimental to ethnic unity and progress. In the future, anything that does not conform to the CCP's political narrative could be labeled as illegal. While it claims to "promote ethnic unity" on the surface, it actually legalizes authoritarian rule, thought censorship, and cross-border intimidation.

Li Kun-cheng said that the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" is an evil law that turns "supporting unification" into a legal obligation. Under the logic of the CCP authorities, not only advocating for Taiwan's subjectivity" may be illegal, but even "not actively identifying with the CCP's unification narrative" could be seen as problematic. Furthermore, it includes extraterritorial application clauses, extending threats and intimidation to the entire world. Article 63 of the law clearly stipulates that overseas organizations and individuals may also be held accountable. Regardless of location, supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, voicing support for human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, or even simply criticizing CCP policies, could be unilaterally deemed illegal by the Chinese government in the future.

Li Kun-cheng stated that the CCP authorities are using legislation to create a chilling effect and intimidate the international community. The goal is to make more international individuals choose silence and stop speaking out in support of Taiwan, fearing sanctions, entry restrictions, or harassment. Chinese state media CCTV reported that the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" explicitly mentions that the state promotes economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, enhancing Taiwanese compatriots' sense of belonging to the Chinese nation. However, the CCP's so-called "ethnic unity" demands that everyone accept a single political narrative. The so-called "sense of community" is essentially an act of assimilation and elimination of dissenting voices in the name of unity.

Li Kun-cheng emphasized that Taiwan's values are diversity, freedom, and mutual respect. Everyone can have different identities, historical perspectives, and political stances. When authoritarian hands reach out internationally, democratic societies should stand together to protect freedom of speech, academic freedom, and human rights values, and reject intimidation and self-censorship from becoming the new international order. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150701

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