The conflict between China and the Uighurs

Thèmes abordés

China, Uighurs, minority, muslims, persecution, Xinjiang, Chinese Turkestan, Autonomous region

Résumé du document

For many decades, Xinjiang, an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, has been a focal point of ethnic tensions. Currently, the main tensions revolve around the Uighur plurality and the people's deep-seated frustration with Chinese authorities; the region has witnessed several waves of protest. Through strict control of the regional political system and a massive influx of Han Chinese settlers, the communist regime has managed to fully integrate this strategic region into China. Uighurs view the influx of Han Chinese as a potential threat; they believe they are being slowly edged out both economically and politically.They believe they are being denied the rights to worship and travel, and also resent what they perceive as cultural imperialism being advocated by Beijing. But on the other hand, the second community, the Han, is dissatisfied by government policies which they believe favor the Uighurs. The issue also raises the issue of the ownership of the Xinjiang region: Uighurs believe their ancestors were indigenous to the area, whereas the Chinese government considers Xinjiang a part of China right from the days of the Han Dynasty. Today, however, the Han community represents 41% of the inhabitants in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, it is important to recall that they represented only 5% in the 40s. The Chinese government has implemented several industrial and agricultural programs in order to establish Han families in Xinjiang .

Extraits

[...] A boycott on Chinese goods was then asked by the Turkish Trade and Industry Minister. Bibliography - Heidelberg Institute For International Conflict Research, Conflict Barometer 2008 and Conflict Barometer 2009 - La Chine et le séparatisme ouighour, Paul Charon, Université Panthéon- Assas Paris II - CIA Factsheet Book - Governance Asia-Pacific Watch, www.unpan1.un.org - Amnistie Internationale - www.planetware.com - Pourquoi le Xinjiang est si précieux pour Pékin ? Julie Connan, Le Figaro.fr (09/07/09) - The Real Story of the Uighur Riots, Rebiya Kadeer, The Wall Street Journal, July - Chine: après l'inclusion d'un groupe ouïgour sur la liste des organisations terroristes août 2002, Radio Free Europe - China eases communication restrictions on Xinjiang, www.2point6billion.com/news 21/01/10 - Devastating Blows Religious Repression of Uighurs in Xinjiang, Human Rights Watch, vol 17, - What's being done on Enhancing the Political Participation of Minority Peoples? [...]

[...] The tensions regained force in September when riots became out of control. Uyghur and Han protestors were implicated, and civilians were injured by syringe attacks. The Chinese authorities took strong repressive measures, and journalists recording the scenes were tackled and detained by paramilitary police. The fact that each community takes revenge on the actions of the other, in a context of strong repression by the Chinese authorities makes the conflict never ending. Fortunately, the situation is more pacific since the end of 2009. [...]

[...] Turkestan became Xinjiang. Few attempts of riots were attempted in the 50s, with little success. The pacific branch of the Uyghur movement has chosen to protest as often as possible, even if people risk everything to speak out against injustice. The World Uighur Congress advocates peaceful establishment of self-determination with respect for human rights and democracy. Han Chinese and Uighur need to achieve a dialogue based on trust, mutual respect and equality, but many protests have turned into violent riots, making many victims and repression from the Chinese authorities. [...]

[...] They believe this region is theirs, that their culture and religion have few in common with the rest of China. Moreover, China has recognized the Uyghur people as an official nationality. Indeed, they once had a taste of independence. The first use of Uyghur as a reference to a political nation occurred during the interim period between the First and Second Göktürk Khaganates (630-684 CE). For over 1000 years, this region was out of the Chinese control, until the Manchu conquest in 1759. Occupation last until 1862, and was affected by 42 Uyghur riots. [...]

[...] The conflict between china and the Uyghur in Xinjiang autonomous region The Xinjiang Autonomous Region is the largest Chinese administrative division. It is home to a number of different ethnic groups, including the Uyghur people, who represent 45% of the population of the region. Xinjiang is also referred as Chinese Turkestan. Therefore, after Uzbekistan, Xinjiang is the second largest Muslim Turkic-speaking area of settlement in Central Asia. Xinjiang, has been for many decades, and continues to be, a focal point of ethnic tensions. [...]