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China Defends Right to Target People Abroad Under New Ethnic Unity Law
Critics say the law could let Beijing punish people and groups abroad for speech, research and business decisions, with 65 articles covering Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities.
On July 1, a new Chinese law takes effect permitting authorities to hold individuals outside the country legally accountable for undermining "ethnic unity and progress or inciting ethnic separatism."
The legislation, passed in March, seeks to create a "shared" national identity among China's 55 ethnic minority groups, including Tibetans and Uyghurs, some of whom have frequently protested against Chinese rule.
Speaking from Beijing, Vice-Justice Minister Weilie argued that certain Western media outlets "distorted and misinterpreted" the overseas provision, which officials defend as necessary for protecting national sovereignty.
The overseas provision targets illegal acts to "guard against various unlawful acts involving ethnic affairs from outside the country," while China maintains the measure will not disrupt normal international exchanges.
Rights groups have expressed concern that China may use Interpol "red notices" to pressure foreign governments into arresting individuals abroad for political offenses, complicating international implementation.