Key facts
- China's new 'ethnic unity' law, implemented July 1, aims to foster patriotism and national unity.
- The law prohibits acts deemed to incite division among China's ethnic groups.
- Critics view the law as a means to further erode the rights of Tibetans and other minorities.
- Some Tibetans are actively engaging in learning and preserving their native language and culture.
- Religious sites in Tibet, such as Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, show no public references to the current Dalai Lama.
In Tibet, some residents are finding ways to embrace their native language and culture despite China's new "ethnic unity" law, which critics argue is designed to further assimilate minority groups.
The law, implemented on July 1, prohibits acts that incite division among China's 56 ethnic groups and promotes patriotism and a strong sense of Chinese national identity. While the government dismisses foreign criticism as "ideological bias," rights groups and experts suggest the regulations codify a trend of eroding language and education rights for minorities, similar to policies seen in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.
Despite the pervasive presence of Chinese national symbols and mandated use of Mandarin in schools and government, some Tibetans, like 73-year-old Kalsang Lhamo, are actively learning to write Tibetan calligraphy. Younger Tibetans, such as 19-year-old student Qongqiu Quco, acknowledge the use of Mandarin in schools due to dialectal differences but express a desire to pass down their culture.
Religious sites, including the Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, do not display references to the current Dalai Lama, who lives in exile. Beijing maintains that the selection of his successor must comply with Chinese law, a point of contention with the Dalai Lama's office and Tibetan communities.
Experts like Benno Weiner from Carnegie Mellon University believe the law formalizes existing policies rather than introducing entirely new ones, impacting educational and language rights. The Chinese government, however, states its policies aim to improve educational opportunities and ensure equal access for ethnic minorities.