As part of the law, educational institutions will now be obliged to teach in Mandarin, with teenagers required to have a "basic grasp" of Mandarin when finishing their compulsory education. It also states that the law can be applied outside China's borders, meaning people outside China who "engage in activities that undermine ethnic unity" or incite "ethnic separatism" can be held legally liable.
The Chinese government has for decades faced allegations of trying to force assimilation of minorities into the Han majority. China acknowledges 55 official ethnic minorities within its territory that speak hundreds of languages and dialects. While no minority languages are specifically mentioned in the law, it is likely to affect Uyghur, Mongolian and Tibetan speakers.
The Chinese government has for decades faced allegations of trying to force assimilation of minorities into the Han majority. China acknowledges 55 official ethnic minorities within its territory that speak hundreds of languages and dialects. While no minority languages are specifically mentioned in the law, it is likely to affect Uyghur, Mongolian and Tibetan speakers.
