Xi Jinping is intensifying domestic repression through a new ethnic unity law while challenging the US globally, pursuing regional dominance and seeking an upper hand in trade and AI.
China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, effective Wednesday, aims to forge a shared national identity but faces criticism from Taiwan, the UN, and rights groups for potentially threatening freedoms, especially for minorities like Uyghurs and Tibetans. Critics also point to a clause allowing liability for violations outside China, raising concerns about transnational repression.
Uyghur fighters, a persecuted ethnic minority from China, have become a significant force in Syria's civil war, playing a key role in the rebel capture of Aleppo and Damascus. Now integrated into the Syrian National Army, their presence draws diplomatic pressure from China.
Donald Trump's visit to Beijing featured parades and banquets but lacked substance, leaving a wary stalemate. Despite White House claims of renewed American strength, the meeting highlighted trade tensions, rare earth curbs, and concerns over long-term national security versus short-term economic gains.
