China enacted a national law on October 24 to strengthen patriotic education for children and families across the country, state media reported. The law attempts to combat "historical nihilism" and protect "national unity" by providing a legal guarantee for patriotic education.
According to China's state news agency, Xinhua, the Patriotic Education Law was passed during a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's national legislature.
Some individuals "are at a loss about what is patriotism," and "historical nihilism" is a term used in China to convey widespread uncertainty and skepticism about the Chinese Communist Party's account of previous events, Xinhua reported.
The law specifies the roles and obligations of central and local government departments, as well as schools and families. It will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
A report by state-backed China Daily said that the law also has targeted measures for different groups of people, including government officials, employees, villagers and residents in special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Taiwan.
(With inputs from agencies)
