Legal safeguards heed Xi Jinping’s call to foster ‘shared spiritual home’ with an eye on staving off ‘domestic friction’, analysts say
5-MIN READ5-MIN ListenXinlu Liangin BeijingPublished: 9:04pm, 12 Mar 2026China has passed a new law on ethnic unity, creating a legal framework that analysts say is designed to counter Western ideological influence and provide a statutory mandate for assimilating the country’s minority groups.
The law was adopted by a near-unanimous vote of 2,756 in favour, with just three against and three abstentions.
The NPC also approved other major legislation and resolutions with overwhelming support.
The resolution on the 2026 central and local budgets, which prioritises spending on science development, diplomacy and national defence, likewise passed with high support, receiving 11 votes against and six abstentions.
