a law on patriotism to promote communist ideology

According to the official press, the new model focuses on the party’s ideology and dictates. The law also covers overseas Chinese, Hong Kong and the inhabitants of “rebel” Taiwan. It also contains specific clauses for religious personalities and the faithful, and for Internet service providers.

Beijing () – Beijing has launched the legislative process to promote patriotism in all citizens, including those from Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas Chinese. The country’s highest legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Assembly, has been studying since yesterday the bill on what is called “patriotic education.” And there is no doubt that Congress will approve it, at the conclusion of the three-day session scheduled for this week.

The official Chinese press has made reference to the guidelines of the bill, summarily revealing its content. According to the information, the normative reference point is “Xi Jinping Thought”, and the law will insist on the principle of “unification of love for the motherland, love for the Party and love for socialism.”

The bill gives priority to the ideology of the Communist Party and emphasizes the use of the Party’s assets for patriotic education. To this end, schools must integrate patriotic education, that is, the party’s ideology and political theories, into all stages of the educational process.

The bill establishes specific rituals such as raising the flag and singing the national anthem, precisely to promote the patriotic spirit. The weekly ceremony of raising the national flag has become a common practice in Hong Kong schools since the National Security Law came into effect.

In addition to the patriotic education of youth and students, the law also contains specific articles for Hong Kong and Taiwan citizens and overseas Chinese citizens, even though Taipei is not under Beijing’s rule. Some analysts believe that China is laying the legal foundations for a subsequent – and more than potential – war against the “rebel” island. A special section of the new law is also reserved for religious leaders and the faithful. Official media say the goal is to maintain the unity of the nation and cohesion among the various ethnic groups.

According to the bill, Internet service providers must disseminate information that strengthens the patriotic spirit and develop new platforms, new technologies and new products for patriotic education.

In recent times, China has experienced a series of protests in various parts of the country – including in areas under strict control such as Xinjiang and Tibet – against the “zero covid” policy imposed by the government to contain the pandemic. Some protesters and students have openly challenged Supreme Leader Xi Jinping and the authority of the Communist Party, a rare occurrence after the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in 1989. Discontent is spreading over the slow economy and youth unemployment rate without precedents. It would give the impression that Beijing is incapable of finding an acceptable solution to a very complex situation; however, Xi Jinping himself personally launched a campaign in April calling on Party members to study and apply his thinking and directives.