As of July 1, 2026, the Law on Promoting National Unity and Progress entered into force in the People’s Republic of China. Its adoption marked an important stage in the institutionalization of the Chinese approach to governing a multiethnic society and strengthening the legal framework in the sphere of interethnic relations.
For the Kazakh public, it is important to view this law not as an isolated legal innovation, but as part of the broader logic of China’s state development. In the official interpretation of the PRC, national unity is understood as the foundation of social stability, modernization, and the country’s long-term development. The law enshrines the principle of equality of all citizens before the law, equality of all nationalities, the prohibition of discrimination and oppression on ethnic grounds, as well as the need to respect and take into account cultural differences.
Of particular importance is the fact that the law is not only regulatory, but also constructive in nature. It is aimed at strengthening a shared civic and cultural identity, expanding interethnic communication, exchange, and mutual rapprochement, supporting the development of national regions, and improving access to education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, and public services. In this sense, national unity in the Chinese understanding is linked not only to security issues, but also to development, well-being, and social justice.
The law also pays attention to the preservation of cultural heritage and linguistic diversity. Alongside the promotion of the state nationwide language, it provides for respect for and protection of the study and use of the languages of national minorities, as well as support for traditional culture, intangible heritage, and the historical memory of the peoples of China.
For Kazakhstan, where interethnic harmony and social stability are also among the most important conditions for state development, studying this law is of practical and expert interest. China’s experience shows that governing a multiethnic society requires not only political will, but also sustainable legal, educational, cultural, and socio-economic mechanisms.
The Center for the Study of China believes that the law’s entry into force opens additional opportunities for professional dialogue between Kazakhstan and China on issues of public administration, interethnic harmony, inclusive development, and the modernization of public institutions. A correct understanding of this law makes it possible to see more deeply the internal logic of modern Chinese statehood: unity, development, and legal governance are regarded in the PRC as interconnected elements of national modernization.
