China's President Xi Jinping is pursuing a new "ethnic unity" law, which he states will boost national identity and integration. The policy, which includes expanding the compulsory use of the Mandarin language, is intended to improve life and work prospects for minorities.
This law impacts an estimated 125 million individuals from 55 ethnic and religious minority groups, who constitute about 9% of China's population. President Xi has encouraged minorities to "hug tightly like pomegranate seeds" to build a strong, united China.
The new law has drawn condemnation from rights organisations such as Amnesty International, and has also been criticised by some Western governments.