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Former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has raised critical concerns regarding a new Chinese law that allows the prosecution of individuals and organisations globally for actions deemed to undermine Beijing’s “ethnic unity.” Speaking at the Ketagalan Forum in Taiwan, Freeland drew alarming parallels between this legislation and the justifications used by President Vladimir Putin prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Her remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, where the self-governing island remains under constant threat of Chinese military action.
China’s Ethnic Unity Law: A New Tool for Repression?
The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, effective as of July 1, has sparked controversy for its vague provisions, particularly one which states that external entities can be held accountable for actions that “undermine ethnic unity and progress or create ethnic division.” Critics warn that such language offers Beijing a broad and dangerous scope for interpretation, potentially enabling it to target dissidents, activists, and even foreign citizens simply for expressing support for Taiwan’s independence or other ethnic rights.
Freeland, who served prominently in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, highlighted the sinister implications of Article 63 during her keynote address. “This law carries a disturbing resemblance to the justifications we have seen from Russia, particularly in the context of Ukraine,” she asserted. The former Deputy Prime Minister referenced Putin’s claims that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people,” made just months before the Russian invasion in 2022—a tactic she argues has emboldened authoritarian regimes to violate the sovereignty of their neighbours.
Lessons from History: The Case of Ukraine
Reflecting on her past experiences covering Ukraine’s tumultuous history, Freeland underscored the dangers of appeasing authoritarian regimes. She articulated that history has shown that such appeasement does not lead to security, citing the West’s inadequate responses to Russia’s earlier aggressions in Georgia and Crimea. “We taught Putin to believe we would not have the resolve to support Ukraine,” Freeland lamented, expressing a desire that he had not miscalculated the West’s resolve.
Her remarks resonated with the ongoing geopolitical landscape, particularly as Taiwan prepares for its own military drills amid fears of a potential invasion by China. Freeland noted the significance of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, which she likened to Ukraine’s burgeoning drone production, emphasising its crucial role in the global supply chain and its strategic value to Western allies.
Strengthening Alliances: Supporting Taiwan
Freeland called for a united front among democratic nations to oppose any disruption to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. “The peace of the Strait of Taiwan will be maintained by the clarity with which democracies assert that we will not accept any breach of that peace,” she stated emphatically. Her advocacy for Taiwan’s inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership reflects a broader strategy to reduce reliance on supply chains linked to authoritarian regimes.
While Canada has made cautious statements regarding the new Chinese law, Freeland’s call for more decisive action was clear. She urged Western democracies to unequivocally reject any foreign laws aimed at enforcing political loyalty based on ethnicity, asserting that such laws hold no authority over citizens of democratic nations.
China’s reaction has been predictably critical, with state-run media labelling the Ketagalan Forum a venue for “marginal foreign politicians” promoting Taiwan independence. However, Freeland’s message is a clarion call for solidarity among democracies in the face of authoritarian encroachments.
Why it Matters
Freeland’s assertions at the Ketagalan Forum highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response from democratic nations to counteract China’s aggressive legal manoeuvres. The implications of the ethnic unity law extend beyond Taiwan; they signal a concerning trend in how authoritarian regimes may seek to impose their narratives globally. As the world grapples with the realities of rising authoritarianism, Freeland’s call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of standing firm in support of democratic values and human rights, reinforcing the need for vigilance in the face of potential aggression.