Under China’s new ‘unity’ law, Tibetans fight to preserve language and culture
China introduced a sweeping "ethnic unity" law on 1 July 2026 that mandates Mandarin Chinese as the primary language in schools and government offices across the country, while banning acts deemed to incite division among China's 56 officially recognised ethnic groups. The law matters because it intensifies pressure on Tibetans and other minorities, such as Uyghurs in Xinjiang and Mongolians in Inner Mongolia, to prioritise Chinese national identity over their own languages and traditions, with Beijing framing the move as improving educational access while critics see it as forced assimilation.
Despite the restrictions, many Tibetans are quietly working to keep their language and culture alive, learning Tibetan script, speaking the language at home, practising traditional crafts such as weaving, and taking part in Buddhist rituals. One example is Kalsang Lhamo, a 73-year-old retired nurse, who studies Tibetan calligraphy at an elderly care centre, while a student named Qongqiu Quco said preserving the language and culture mattered to her, even though Mandarin remains the language used at school because of regional dialect differences. The article also notes that prominent religious sites, including the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace, display no references to the current Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile since 1959, underscoring the broader erosion of Tibetan religious and cultural identity under the new rules.
In short
- China's new law mandates Mandarin and bans "separatist" activity from July 2026.
- Tibetans quietly preserve language, calligraphy and Buddhist traditions despite curbs.
- Dalai Lama references absent from major temples; law echoes Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia policies.
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The case for
The law aims to provide all ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, with equal access to China's educational and economic opportunities by ensuring proficiency in Mandarin, the language of higher education, government, and commerce across the country. Proponents argue that a shared common language facilitates communication and social cohesion among China's 56 ethnic groups, reducing misunderstandings and supporting national stability. The policy does not ban minority languages or cultures outright—Tibetans continue to speak Tibetan at home, practise their crafts, and observe Buddhist traditions—but rather establishes Mandarin as the primary medium of instruction to improve educational outcomes and economic mobility for minority communities.
The case against
The 'ethnic unity' law represents a form of cultural assimilation that prioritises Han Chinese dominance over the distinct identities of minority groups, undermining the right of Tibetans to education in their own language during formative years when children learn to read and write. The vague prohibition on acts that 'incite division' creates a chilling effect on legitimate cultural and religious expression, whilst the suppression of Dalai Lama references demonstrates that the policy goes beyond language education into explicit control of religious and cultural identity. Rather than fostering genuine unity through mutual respect, the law marginalises minority cultures by making Mandarin the default in public institutions, forcing minorities to abandon their languages and traditions to participate fully in society, perpetuating historical patterns of Han Chinese cultural dominance over peripheral regions.
Explained simply
Tibet is a region in western China with its own language, religious traditions and cultural history. China recognises 56 ethnic groups and promotes Mandarin as a shared national language; Tibetans are among several minority groups who also use languages and customs distinct from those of the majority Han population.
The Chinese government says common use of Mandarin can improve access to education and public services. The new law also restricts speech or activity judged to encourage division among ethnic groups, while critics say its language rules put pressure on minority cultures.
Tibetan language and religion are closely tied to everyday life and cultural identity. The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s best-known Buddhist leader, has lived in exile since 1959, and Tibetan communities continue to practise traditions and teach the language within the limits they face.