China advances sweeping ethnic-unity law, critics warn of intensified assimilation

China is moving to approve a broad ethnic-unity law that would require Mandarin to be taught nationwide from kindergarten through high school and obligate all government bodies and private entities to promote a shared Chinese identity. Critics say the measure erodes minority autonomy, targets languages and cultures, and could enable cross-border enforcement against dissent, marking a capstone in Xi Jinping’s policy shift toward assimilation as the NPC prepares to vote.