China has approved a sweeping new law which claims to help promote “ethnic unity” - but critics say it will further erode the rights of minority groups.

On paper, it aims to promote integration among the 56 officially recognised ethnic groups, dominated by the Han Chinese, through education and housing. But critics say it cuts people off from their language and culture.

It mandates that all children should be taught Mandarin before kindergarten and up until the end of high school. Previously students could study most of the curriculum in their native language such as Tibetan, Uyghur or Mongolian.

  • TwilitSky@lemmy.world
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    11 hours ago

    Watch as Americans without a shred of irony decry this and then demand people in our country speak English.

    • Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      I’m decrying this AND the racists that demand everyone speak English in America. The American racists will probably say that this is fine because it’s Chinese governing Chinese, so long as they stay in China.

      • ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        4 hours ago

        I think it’s a good opportunity for language submersion. They can still speak their native language. Me friend taught her two kids to speak Japanese. They speak English at school in the US. I wish we had more immersion opportunities here. I didn’t read the article so, I’m sure I’m missing the detail that warrants everyone’s reaction though. It could be a good thing if they aren’t being shitty simultaneously.

    • GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
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      10 hours ago

      dude, I knew an old German woman who immigrated after WW2 to the US.

      she straight up started yelling at the Mexicans speaking Spanish that it’s disrespectful to not speak English in the US.

      it’s not just Americans doing it…

      • bobo@lemmy.ml
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        1 hour ago

        Did you know German was the second most spoken language in the USA until ww1? Victims of opression often opress others.