China has approved a sweeping new law which claims to help promote “ethnic unity” - but critics say it will further erode the rights of minority groups.

On paper, it aims to promote integration among the 56 officially recognised ethnic groups, dominated by the Han Chinese, through education and housing. But critics say it cuts people off from their language and culture.

It mandates that all children should be taught Mandarin before kindergarten and up until the end of high school. Previously students could study most of the curriculum in their native language such as Tibetan, Uyghur or Mongolian.

  • PapaStevesy@lemmy.world
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    9 hours ago

    There’s no way to define “ethnic unity” that doesn’t involve racism and ethnic genocide.

    • cecinestpasunbot@lemmy.ml
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      1 hour ago

      Well good thing then that China’s laws aren’t written in English yeah? The actual title of the law does not carry the connotations you think it does.

      • wereg@lemmy.world
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        39 seconds ago

        Then why is it “ethnic unity” and not “language/linguistic unity”? I’m pretty sure the Chinese have terms for "language/linguistic " as they have for “ethnic”…