A new ethnic unity law came into force in China on Wednesday despite criticism from Taiwan, the United Nations, and human rights groups, who have raised concerns that it could further restrict the rights of minority communities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs

The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress aims to strengthen a shared national identity among China’s ethnic groups, including by promoting the use of Mandarin as the country’s official language

However, rights groups have criticised the legislation, arguing that it could deepen assimilation policies targeting ethnic minorities and weaken protections for their languages, cultures and traditions

Critics have raised concerns over a provision in China’s new ethnic unity law that allows individuals to be held accountable for alleged violations even outside the country, warning that it could be used against critics and activists abroad 

The Tibetan community, many of whom took refuge in India after fleeing Tibet, has opposed policies it says threaten its cultural identity

Beijing has rejected allegations of rights abuses against ethnic minorities, maintaining that its policies promote social stability, security and economic development

Uyghur and Tibetan advocates have urged countries to push China to strike it down, saying that the law aims to erase minority communities

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Taiwanese people already faced high risks travelling to China and warned Beijing now had "yet another law to fabricate charges". Beijing will use the law "as a legal basis to further suppress and persecute human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, or to expand its threats against voices internationally that support or are friendly towards Taiwan", the MAC said in a statement, attributing the remarks to Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh

Protesters were briefly detained by the police during the agitation

A member of the Tibetan community breaks down during the protest.