Forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation with law-based governance

Editor's Note: Xia Lu is a research fellow at the National Academy for Development and Strategy of Renmin University of China and deputy dean of the School of Marxism Studies at Xinjiang University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Since the beginning of the new era, under the strong and visionary leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), governments at all levels have consistently adhered to the principle of "forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation" as their central guiding thread. Through continuous policy innovation, substantial improvements in people's livelihoods and deepened cultural integration, they have effectively promoted mutual understanding, unity and solidarity among all ethnic groups across the nation.

Notable initiatives include the extensive pairing-assistance programs that have connected millions of households in Xinjiang with supportive partners across the country, as well as the encouraging practices of Xizang's college graduates, who have built careers in other parts of China, fostering bonds and inter-regional cohesion. Furthermore, precise and well-targeted policies aimed at revitalizing border regions and enriching local residents have yielded remarkable outcomes. The widespread coverage of 5G networks in frontier areas, for instance, exemplifies how technological advancement is helping bridge developmental gaps and create new opportunities for shared growth.

Through these concerted efforts in co-living, co-learning, co-building and co-sharing, all ethnic groups have strengthened their collective identity, embodying a profound sense of community characterized by shared joys and sorrows, shared honor and disgrace, shared life and death, and a common destiny. These achievements have not only reinforced national unity but have also laid a solid practical foundation for the introduction of the Law on the Promotion of the Unity and Progress of the Chinese Nation (Draft).

Currently under deliberation during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), this draft law highlights the growing urgency of advancing rule-of-law-based governance in the domain of ethnic unity. It also stands as one of the key pillars supporting the CPC's Comprehensive Strategies for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era, further institutionalizing and safeguarding the unity and progress of the Chinese nation.

However, despite the considerable achievements and fruitful outcomes in policy implementation, the governance of ethnic affairs continues to confront persistent challenges, including uneven regional development and divergences in cultural identity. There is an increasingly urgent need to solidify advancements in ethnic theory innovation through a robust legal framework. Based on professional observations and practical experience working in Xinjiang over the past year, the draft legislation serves critical purposes in multiple dimensions.

First and foremost, the draft seeks to legally enshrine the principle of "forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation," thereby establishing a foundational guideline for all ethnic-related initiatives. This elevation to a legal standard implies that any speech or action contravening this principle will be deemed unlawful and subject to legal penalties, ensuring uniformity and compliance across society.

Secondly, the draft is designed to construct a comprehensive and systematic governance structure that addresses current fragmentation in existing laws and regulations. By clarifying the scope of rights and responsibilities, it aims to bridge gaps in legal enforcement, reduce jurisdictional overlaps and counteract the risks of either excessive regional autonomy or forced assimilation, thus promoting balanced and respectful integration.

Last but not least, the draft emphasizes the prevention of separatist activities and the fortification of border governance through lawful and consistent measures. By anchoring governance in legal principles, it seeks to enhance national security, eliminate arbitrary decision-making and ensure sustained efforts in maintaining stability and unity over the long term.

The adoption of the draft will advance the construction of the community for the Chinese nation at three levels. First, with education as the foundation, governments at all levels will incorporate education on the community for the Chinese nation into the national education system and cultivate the "five identities" among the youth, ranging from teaching materials to practice bases. Second, centering on the economy, through industrial support and digital empowerment, governments at all levels will facilitate the integration of ethnic regions into national strategies, such as the Xinjiang component in China's path to modernization. Third, taking culture as the core, governments will safeguard red heritage, explore the history of communication and exchange, and shape shared spiritual symbols, aiming to build a common spiritual home. More significantly, the draft enshrines the principle of "uniting and struggling together for common prosperity and development" in the law, providing institutional guarantees for addressing development issues and promoting common prosperity.

From policy formulation to legal enactment, and from practical implementation to institutional establishment, China is safeguarding the fundamental line of national unity through the power of law-based governance. When the concept of "the Chinese nation forms an integrated family" is translated into national actions via strict legal constraints, all ethnic groups within the Chinese nation will undoubtedly "cluster together like pomegranate seeds" during the process of Chinese modernization and jointly pen a new chapter in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.