Xinjiang’s cycle of violence
- In China’s western Muslim-majority Xinjiang region, Kashgar is overwhelmingly consists of Uighur Muslims — yet, number of Han Chinese migrants are increasing.
- Chinese Hans form 50% of Xinjiang’s population majority in the provincial capital Ürümqi, up from 6% when the People’s Republic brought Xinjiang new frontier under its control.
- The government’s past responses have appeared to exacerbate the on-the-ground situation in Xinjiang. The 2009 ethnic riots in Ürümqi killed 197 people & Government blamed the riots on ETIM and separatist groups.
- Uighurs in Ürümqi and Kashgar mentions in the interview that local population has grievances with government policies :
- migration of Han Chinese,
- restrictions on religion,
- ban of workers and students in universities from practising religion, whether it is fasting during Ramadan or even wearing veils.
- “Anti-veil” crackdowns in Kashgar and Hotan angered Uighurs as they considered it as an assault on their culture.
- State-run energy companies have a strong hold over government and policy in mineral and oil-rich region and
- prefer hiring Mandarin-speaking Han Chinese which makes Uighur youth remain out of lucrative jobs.
Exams Perspective:
- Uighurs
- Violence in Xinjiang
- Government indifference towards Xinjiang