Interview: Ethnic Unity and Assimilation in China

About this episode

The episode discusses China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress and its implications for minority communities.

China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress mandates Mandarin as the language of education, encourages the breakup of minority-majority neighbourhoods, and criminalises expressions of ethnic separatism — including by Chinese citizens living abroad. Critics say it formalises a decades-long push toward assimilation that has already reshaped the lives of Uyghur, Tibetan, Mongolian and other minority communities. Guest: Professor James Leibold (Professor of Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University). Recorded on 25th March, 2026.

People in this episode

Guest: Professor James Leibold

Topics covered

• ethnic unity
• assimilation
• China
• minority rights
• politics
• education

Keywords

• ethnic unity
• assimilation
• China
• minority communities
• Mandarin education
• Uyghur
• Tibetan
• Mongolian

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: La Trobe University

Places: China, Uyghur, Tibetan, Mongolian

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