China mulls law on promoting ethnic unity and progress

BEIJING -- Chinese lawmakers are reviewing a draft law aimed at promoting ethnic unity and progress.

The draft was submitted on Monday to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the national legislature, for its first reading.

The law is intended to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, pool strength for advancing Chinese modernization, and promote common prosperity and development of all ethnic groups, according to an explanatory document of the draft.

The draft lays out measures to encourage interaction, exchange and integration among different ethnic groups. It calls for initiatives such as harmonious integrated habitation among various ethnic groups, education in schools, youth exchanges, cultural and sports programs, and tourism.

To advance shared prosperity and development, the draft also emphasizes strengthening infrastructure, industries and public services, while safeguarding natural resources and protecting the environment.