China Links Language Use to National Security in New Laws

China is drafting new laws that tie the use of the national language and ethnic unity directly to national security. The legislation warns of legal penalties for anyone obstructing the use of standard Chinese. A draft "Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress" is now open for public comment until January 25. It recently underwent review by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body. The proposed law frames China's approach to ethnic relations and language promotion from a "national security perspective." Officials state the measures are designed to safeguard national unity and social stability. This move continues a years-long push to increase the use of Mandarin, known in China as Putonghua. The government promotes it as a common tongue for the country's many ethnic groups and regions.