In an article published on Thursday in the Communist Party’s theoretical journal Qiushi, the National Ethnic Affairs Commission called for greater oversight of public opinion and discussion around ethnic minority groups and related issues in the online space.
The article referred to “risks” arising from ethnic minority communities and called for “the responsibility mechanism of ideology work” to be implemented.
China’s ethnic affairs officials urged to promote integration of minority groups
China’s ethnic affairs officials urged to promote integration of minority groups
The commission called for greater supervision, for officials to “promptly and appropriately” address grievances involving issues related to ethnic minority groups and to “absolutely uphold the bottom line of preventing regional and systemic risks in the ethnic regions”.
However, in addition to a call for greater control, the article endorsed more resources being put into art – such as in publications, on stage and visual arts – that the commission said could help ethnic minority groups identify more deeply with Chinese culture.
“[We] should aim to make the internet the biggest contributor to strengthening the awareness of the community of the Chinese nation,” it said.
The article is under the byline of the Communist Party leadership group at the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, the office responsible for drafting and implementing laws regarding China’s policies towards its ethnic minority groups.
Beijing has largely tamped down the intensity of those tensions in recent years by tightening its grip on the region’s security and culture policies. Its measures have attracted criticism from Washington and its allies who accuse Beijing of using the measures to inflict human rights abuses.
China’s United Nations human rights review puts global divide on display
China’s United Nations human rights review puts global divide on display
For example, Beijing’s treatment of ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang has drawn mounting criticism from Western media and organisations, and allegations that it detained a million Uygurs and members of other Muslim minority groups in re-education camps and forced them into labour.
Beijing strongly denies this, saying the security measures are intended to counter terrorism and extremism.
The article in Qiushi on Thursday said China’s external communication around its ethnic minority groups was not effective – of Beijing “having a valid point but not being able to effectively communicate it ” – because of some countries’ “hegemonic dominance”, although it did not name those countries.
It said Beijing had stepped up efforts in the hope its global communication would better align with its narrative.