China okays 'ethnic unity' law condemned by rights groups

China approved what it called an "ethnic unity" law on Thursday, which rights advocates warn could further marginalize minority groups such as the Uyghurs.

- 

The law, passed by the National People's Congress, formalizes policies to promote Mandarin as the "national common language" in education, official business and public places.

China's government has been accused for decades of pursuing policies to force assimilation across the vast country into the Han majority.

Social cohesion is a key focus of the new "ethnic unity" law, which criminalises engaging in "violent terrorist activities, ethnic separatist activities, or religious extremist activities".

The law aims to "strengthen cohesion" within China, which the legislation argues is undergoing unprecedented social change.

China officially recognizes 55 official ethnic minorities within its borders that speak hundreds of languages and dialects.