From Ethnic Unity and Progress to the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress: Discursive Evolution, Institutional Development, and Legal Institutionalization

The cause of ethnic unity and progress constitutes a foundational undertaking in advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The promulgation of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress of the People's Republic of China marks a historic transition from policy advocacy and administrative promotion toward a rule-of-law-based and institutionalized framework for promoting ethnic unity and progress. Focusing on the core concept of ethnic unity and progress, this article examines how the law transforms it from a political principle into a binding legal norm, converting soft policy commitments into enforceable legal institutions. The study argues that ethnic unity and progress is not merely a political slogan but a comprehensive governance framework encompassing the legal, policy, economic, cultural, and educational spheres. By translating this foundational concept into an institutionalized legal framework, the law provides a solid legal foundation for advancing the building of a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.