Overseas Organizations Jointly Urge Governments to Reject Extraterritorial Application of China's Ethnic Unity Law

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, July 13) China's 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress' took effect on July 1. Led by Hong Kong Watch, a rights organization headquartered in London, a total of 54 overseas community and civil society groups from around the world issued a joint open letter today, urging governments worldwide to clearly state that Chinese domestic law has no extraterritorial effect and cannot govern residents within other countries.

According to the open letter released by Hong Kong Watch, signatory groups include overseas Hong Kong, Uyghur, Tibetan, and Taiwanese community organizations.

The open letter condemns China's 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,' pointing out that Beijing is attempting to impose a singular, state-defined identity on all ethnic groups, allowing no alternative narratives.

The signatory groups specifically highlighted Article 20 of the law, which requires parents and guardians to 'fulfill their responsibility for family education' by guiding minors to 'love the Chinese Communist Party, love the motherland, love the people, and love the Chinese nation,' and to 'establish the concept of the Chinese nation as one big family.' It also stipulates that 'ideas detrimental to ethnic unity and progress must not be instilled in minors.'

Of particular concern to overseas communities is Article 63, which explicitly states: 'Organizations and individuals outside the People's Republic of China who engage in acts that undermine ethnic unity and progress or create ethnic division against the People's Republic of China shall be held legally accountable.'

The open letter notes that such provisions echo the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law and the 2024 Hong Kong Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, both of which assert the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Chinese domestic law. In practice, this creates a convenient pathway for the Chinese authorities to pursue, intimidate, coerce, and forcibly silence overseas communities, including Hong Kong people.

The signatory groups noted that Beijing's implementation of the 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress' has already drawn widespread backlash, with expressions of concern from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, several U.S. lawmakers, and Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council.

The joint letter calls on governments worldwide to formally condemn China's 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress' and its claim of extraterritorial jurisdiction, and to clearly affirm that the law has no jurisdictional authority over residents or citizens within their own territories.

Additionally, the letter urges legislative bodies in all countries to revise their laws to strengthen domestic legal protections for overseas communities such as Hong Kong people, to prevent and counter Beijing's cross-border repression against these communities and individuals.

The signatory groups also call on law enforcement and national security agencies in all countries to actively investigate incidents potentially related to cross-border repression and to provide safe and accessible reporting channels.

The joint letter further urges international organizations and platforms, including the United Nations, to continuously monitor the implementation of the 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress' and to issue regular reports. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150713

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