China's new law on ethnic unity goes into effect on Wednesday, drawing concerns that it will be applied to organizations and individuals overseas.

China says the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law is being introduced to forge a strong sense of the community of the Chinese nation.

The law says that schools and other educational institutions are to use standard Chinese as the basic language for education.

It also states that those who undermine ethnic unity and progress will be punished and that organizations and individuals outside of China are also to be pursued in accordance with the law.

In response, the European Parliament and the US Congress have expressed concern over the law, saying it could openly promote assimilation policies toward Tibetans, Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the country.

In addition, eight special rapporteurs of the United Nations expressed their concerns in a letter to the Chinese government.

The letter said that the law's text "does not provide a definition of what undermines ethnic unity and progress." It expresses concerns about "arbitrary enforcement" and a risk that the law may "incite transnational repression."

But a high-ranking official of the Chinese justice ministry replied in a news conference on June 24. He argued that the law complies with international practices and is justified and lawful.