China Rejects EU Criticism of Ethnic Unity Law

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — China said that criticism and misinformation cannot stop the people of China from working toward a better life or undermine what it described as its contribution to global practices in managing ethnic affairs, according to a statement by its mission to the European Union.

The statement was issued after the European Parliament adopted a resolution concerning China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. The Chinese mission to the EU said the resolution “ignores facts and legal principles,” deliberately misrepresents Chinese legislation and national policy, and has prompted a formal protest.

China said the adoption and implementation of the law are an important step in modernizing its system of ethnic governance and improving administrative efficiency.

The law, the statement said, is based on national conditions and contemporary needs, and uses legal mechanisms to strengthen relations of equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and harmony among ethnic groups. China said the significance of the law should be understood from both factual and legal perspectives.

China said the law reinforces governance foundations by addressing issues of public concern and ensuring, through institutional mechanisms, the protection of the lawful rights and interests of all ethnic groups. It said the framework promotes shared participation and shared benefits from development in political, economic, social and cultural fields.

The law also provides an institutional basis for building what China describes as a “community of the Chinese nation” and supports joint progress in modernization, according to the statement.

China further said the law deepens integration policies, noting that language plays a key role in communication. It said promoting a common national language and script is standard international practice aimed at social integration and equal development opportunities.

The statement said the provisions in the law reflect this approach in the Chinese context, helping remove communication barriers, expand development opportunities and integrate ethnic regions into national development.

At the same time, China said the law guarantees the right of all ethnic groups to use and develop their own languages and scripts and supports the preservation of traditional cultures. It rejected claims that promoting a national language amounts to “assimilation,” saying such interpretations are inconsistent with facts and international understanding.

China also said the law reflects a model of harmonious coexistence, shaped by different historical and cultural conditions. It said its policies are rooted in traditional values of “harmony” and “great unity,” aiming to balance unity with diversity and promote inclusive development.

According to the statement, this approach, based on mutual interaction and coexistence under a legal framework, has received increasing understanding and recognition from the international community.

China urged relevant countries, organizations and individuals to act professionally and responsibly, stop what it called unfounded accusations and interference, and respect the governance practices and development choices of other countries based on equality and mutual respect.

The statement concluded that China’s efforts to strengthen national unity and shared development under the rule of law are based on domestic experience and aligned with the spirit of the times.

“Time will show that prejudice and rumors cannot stop the Chinese people’s progress toward creating a better life together, nor can they obscure the contribution of this law to global ethnic governance — a contribution of Chinese wisdom and solutions,” it said.

CNS