Taiwanese academics and civic groups have raised concerns that extraterritorial provisions in China's new "ethnic unity" law, set to take effect on Wednesday next week, could expose Taiwanese to legal and political risks.
Adopted by the Chinese National People’s Congress on March 12, the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law aims to "forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.”
Article 63 of the law also states that organizations and individuals outside China who engage in acts against China that "undermine ethnic unity and progress or promote ethnic separatism shall be held legally liable in accordance with the law."
Photo: Reuters
Hung Pu-chao (洪浦釗), deputy head of Tunghai University's Center for Mainland China and Regional Development Research, yesterday said that the law could lead to entry bans, sanctions, public naming and shaming, and business pressure on Taiwanese.
Those who frequently travel across the Taiwan Strait, or who have jobs, investments or family ties in China, could be among the first affected, he said, adding that academics, journalists, civic groups and public commentators could also face greater political risks.
Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung (沈有忠) said in March after the law was adopted that while the legislation appeared to target ethnic minorities in China, its extraterritorial provisions and references to promoting ethnic unity and national unification could allow it to spill over into cross-strait affairs.
In China's political context, issues involving Taiwan's sovereignty and human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet could all be deemed acts that "undermine ethnic unity,” a national security official said yesterday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Taiwanese academics arguing that Taiwan is not part of China, foreign media reporting on human rights in Xinjiang or foreign politicians publicly supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations could all be unilaterally deemed illegal by Beijing, the official said.
Taiwan Alliance, a coalition of pro-Taiwan civic groups expressed "strong condemnation and deep concern" over the law, saying it is "a tool for transnational repression."
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