On December 12, during the concluding session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law' was passed, reigniting attention on President Xi Jinping's remark that ethnic groups should adhere to each other like pomegranate seeds. This remark underscores Xi's call for unity amongst the Han majority, which constitutes over 90% of China's population, and the 55 recognized ethnic minorities, encouraging a sense of 'Chinese national community consciousness'. The law is seen as a legal framework to solidify Xi's long-standing agenda of fostering this 'Chinese national community' throughout his tenure.

The Ethnic Unity Law emphasizes equality and prohibits discrimination among ethnic groups while aiming for their integration into a common national ideology. This involves mandating the use of Mandarin Chinese in schools within autonomous regions like Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Tibet, a direction that had been previously established through guidelines, now codified into law. Additionally, the law introduces penalties for actions deemed as fostering ethnic division, holding domestic and foreign entities accountable for any activities perceived as undermining ethnic unity.

Within China, discussions surrounding the law reveal a climate of enforced silence under the guise of preserving societal stability, especially among minority communities. The recent educational reforms in Inner Mongolia aimed at bolstering Chinese language instruction have met with limited public backlash, seemingly aligning with the government's narrative, as few dissenting voices break the prevailing political consensus on this issue. As Xi's administration rallies support for this legal framework, the implications for minority rights and cultural preservation remain a critical point of contention amidst ongoing socio-political shifts in the country.