China’s National People’s Congress Prepares for Critical Vote on New Legislation

On Thursday, China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), the nation’s legislative body, is set to vote on a crucial package of new laws that were discussed during this year’s annual sessions. Among the proposed legislation is a controversial bill aimed at reducing the prominence of minority ethnic languages within the educational framework.

Key Proposals on the Agenda

Delegates are expected to endorse a new ethnic unity law, accompanied by the introduction of a new environmental code and the strategic roadmap outlined in the 15th five-year plan, representing economic objectives from 2026 to 2030. Over the past week, NPC representatives have engaged in debates regarding these proposed laws, which are widely anticipated to receive approval given the NPC’s historical tendency to pass items without dissent.

This year’s sessions, which include simultaneous meetings of the NPC and a Communist Party advisory committee, have been marked by a notably low GDP growth target for 2026, set at 4.5%, the lowest in decades. This figure reflects a shift in priorities for Beijing amid a challenging domestic economic landscape.

Legislative Focus on Ethnic Policies and Environmental Initiatives

The NPC serves as a platform for turning Beijing’s policies into law. A focal point for President Xi Jinping is the concept of “sinicisation,” aimed at assimilating the cultures of ethnic minorities into the dominant Han majority. Xi has famously described the goal as making China’s diverse ethnic groups akin to “pomegranate seeds that stick together.”

This new ethnic unity legislation mandates that educational institutions prioritize Mandarin, limiting the use of minority languages such as Tibetan, Uyghur, and Mongolian. Moreover, the law stipulates that Mandarin be given greater visibility than minority scripts on public signage, a move already observed in regions like Inner Mongolia, where previous protests arose against the reduction of the Mongolian language’s presence.

Concerns from Human Rights Advocates

Human Rights Watch researcher Yalkun Uluyol expressed concern that many of the proposed policy directives are already in practice in areas such as Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia. He asserted that this new legislation is a clear attempt by Beijing to institutionalize forced assimilation and enhance political control.

The ethnic unity law has garnered special attention from the Chinese Communist Party, with discussions held by the full politburo on its draft last year—a first in four decades.

Environmental Reform and Broader Legislative Goals

In addition to the ethnic unity law, the NPC is expected to ratify a new ecological and environmental code, which will consolidate various existing laws related to pollution and environmental protection. This initiative aligns with China’s “dual carbon” goals, aiming to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

This extensive legislative draft unfolds chapters that focus on waste management, pollution prevention, and climate change adaptation. Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, described the new code as a vital advancement in China’s environmental legal framework.

“For decades, China’s environmental regulations have been fragmented,” Li noted. “By establishing a cohesive legal framework for environmental protection, this signals a long-term commitment to governance that prioritizes environmental issues.”

Furthermore, the NPC will vote on the annual budget, government work report, and the aforementioned five-year plan, marking a significant moment in China’s legislative progress.