**
Former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has raised significant concerns regarding China’s recently enacted Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, likening its implications to the pretexts used by Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. In a keynote speech delivered at the Ketagalan Forum in Taiwan, Freeland urged democratic nations to unequivocally reject this encroachment on international norms.
A Call to Action for Democratic Nations
Freeland’s remarks at the security forum come in the wake of China’s law, which took effect on July 1. This legislation controversially permits Beijing to hold individuals and organisations outside its borders accountable for actions it deems to undermine “ethnic unity” or create “ethnic division.” The vagueness of these terms has raised alarm among critics, who warn that this could be used as a tool for repression against dissidents and those advocating for independence, particularly in Taiwan.
The former deputy prime minister articulated her concerns by referencing the historical context of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. She noted that the rationales provided by President Vladimir Putin for the invasion closely echo the justifications embedded in Chinese law. Freeland spotlighted Article 63, describing it as particularly ominous, drawing parallels to the ways in which Russia has leveraged ethnic and cultural claims to justify its violations of sovereignty in neighbouring states.
Taiwan’s Vulnerability: A Global Concern
Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, stands as a focal point of tension in the region, with the looming threat of military action from China. Beijing’s claim over Taiwan as a breakaway province has intensified, with officials in Taipei expressing fears that the new Chinese law could provide a legal framework for targeting Taiwanese individuals perceived as separatists. Freeland emphasised the need for a robust international response to deter potential aggression.
As part of her analysis, Freeland recounted her experiences as a journalist covering the dissolution of the Soviet Union and her subsequent role in Canadian politics during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She stressed that appeasement of authoritarian regimes does not yield security, citing the Western world’s inadequate responses to previous Russian incursions, which only emboldened further aggression.
Economic Leverage and Strategic Alliances
Freeland’s speech also highlighted Taiwan’s critical position in the global semiconductor supply chain, equating its strategic importance to that of Ukraine’s drone industry. She urged democratic allies to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), framing this as essential for reducing reliance on authoritarian powers.
In her view, a strong and independent Taiwan could serve as a bulwark against the influence of China, reinforcing a supply chain that values democratic principles over authoritarian control. Freeland called on international partners to vocalise their commitment to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, asserting, “The peace of the Strait of Taiwan will be kept by the plainness with which the world’s democracies say in advance that we will not accept that peace being broken.”
The Response from China
In response to Freeland’s comments, China’s embassy in Canada did not provide an immediate statement. However, the state’s Global Times tabloid dismissed the Ketagalan Forum as a gathering of “former and marginal foreign politicians” advocating for Taiwan independence, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding the topic.
Freeland’s recent resignation from her role as an MP, coupled with her ongoing advisory position to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, positions her as a key figure advocating for democratic resilience against authoritarianism.
Why it Matters
Freeland’s warnings about China’s ethnic unity law serve as a crucial reminder of the potential risks faced by democracies in an increasingly authoritarian world. By drawing historical parallels with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she underscores the necessity for a united front among democratic nations to counteract the creeping influence of repressive regimes. The implications of this law extend beyond Taiwan; they threaten the very fabric of international relations and human rights, demanding a concerted response from the global community to uphold democratic values and protect vulnerable societies.
