Could Taiwan face increased legal pressure under this new ethnic unity law?

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Taiwan could face increased legal pressure under China’s new ethnic unity law, due to an overseas accountability clause

China’s new ethnic unity law, passed in March and set to take effect on July 1, includes a provision allowing legal accountability for people and groups outside the People’s Republic of China who undermine “ethnic unity and progress” or incite “ethnic separatism”. The clause has raised alarm in Chinese-claimed Taiwan that it could give Beijing another legal basis to go after Taiwanese individuals it views as “separatists”. China’s Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie said the overseas provision is consistent with legal principles and international practice and is aimed at preventing unlawful acts involving ethnic affairs from outside the country.
The law’s overseas clause takes effect on July 1
The ethnic unity law was passed in March and is scheduled to enter into effect on July 1. It explicitly covers people and groups beyond China’s borders, not just those inside the country, and ties potential legal accountability to undermining “ethnic unity and progress” or inciting “ethnic separatism”.
Taiwan’s concern centres on a new basis to target people Beijing labels “separatists”
The overseas wording has sparked alarm in Chinese-claimed Taiwan, with particular concern that it could provide Beijing another legal basis to pursue Taiwanese people it views as “separatists”. This concern is linked directly to the fact that the law’s reach extends to activities or actors outside the PRC.
China argues the overseas provision is lawful and consistent with international practice
Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Hu Weilie said the overseas provision reflects China’s national conditions, conforms to legal principles, and is consistent with international practice. He described it as “legitimate, lawful, necessary, and feasible,” adding that countries worldwide have the right to prevent separatist and destructive activities through domestic legislation.
China says the clause targets illegal acts and will not disrupt ordinary exchanges
Hu Weilie said the overseas provision targets illegal acts and uses rule-of-law methods to guard against unlawful acts involving ethnic affairs from outside the country. He also said enforcing the overseas provision would safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and that it would not affect normal people-to-people exchanges, academic discussions, or economic and trade cooperation between China and other countries.

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Could Taiwan face increased legal pressure under this new ethnic unity law?

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