China Law Extends Legal Reach to Overseas Acts on Ethnic Unity

A law titled the Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress took effect on Wednesday after passage by the National People’s Congress in March. The statute states that organizations and individuals outside mainland China who commit acts aimed at undermining ethnic unity may face legal responsibility under Chinese law.

Article 63 drew particular attention for its explicit extraterritorial language. Rights watchdogs including United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Minority Rights and Cultural Rights have said the law has been used to justify forced assimilation policies in regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang.

International stated that Article 63 could be used to justify transnational repression of overseas citizens and activists. The group noted that peaceful advocacy for minority rights anywhere could be characterized as undermining ethnic unity. A spokesperson for China’s State Council Information Office Press Bureau said the provision is a legitimate and necessary legal measure.

The spokesperson added that Western media had distorted the law by framing it as an example of long-arm jurisdiction. Taiwan’s government raised concerns that the law could be used to prosecute or harass its citizens abroad. President William Lai Ching-te urged citizens to remain cautious while traveling or living in China and said Taipei would continue monitoring the situation and providing guidance to overseas officials.

Taiwan stepped up travel warnings in 2024 after China announced that certain independence activists could be tried in absentia and face the death penalty for promoting secession.