China passed a law to promote “ethnic unification” that requires children to study Mandarin before they enter kindergarten and until the end of their high school education. Some critics claim that it is a threat to minority cultures and languages, such as Tibetan, Uyghur and Mongolian.
Mandarin as a compulsory language in schools
Prior to this, minorities in the majority regions were able to study in their mother tongue. Mandarin is the primary language for instruction under the new law. The authorities claim that this would improve employment prospects and promote national integration.
Magnus Fiskesjo is an anthropology prof who said the policy could “brutally force children to forget [their] own language and cultural roots.”
Laws, Community changes and Legal Changes
Analysts are also concerned that it may lead to the dissolution of neighborhoods with a high minority population, further diluting ethnic communities.
China’s “sinicisation policy” has been promoting the assimilation and integration of minorities for many years. It is a goal to develop a national identity that centers on Han Chinese, who make up more than 90% of the total population.
Human Rights Concerns
In Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, cultural and religious practices have been restricted. Authorities in Tibet have taken over monasteries and arrested monks. .
Inner Mongolia was roiled by protests after Mandarin became the primary language of instruction in schools. To protect their native language, parents even kept children home from school. The authorities responded by cracking down.
Some critics see forced assimilation
While China’s Constitution guarantees that ethnic groups have the right to develop and use their own languages, critics believe the new law is a step towards assimilation. Allen Carlson is a professor of government who notes that non Han groups must integrate into the Chinese culture and be loyal to Beijing.
According to experts, the law portrays minority cultures and languages as barriers to development. Xi Jinping’s policies aim to create a united, strong nation of China with Han majorities at the center.
