Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?

[Ray]

Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?
The Xinjiang autonomous region in China's far west has had a long history of discord between the authorities and the indigenous ethnic Uighur population. The BBC sets out why.


Who Lives in Xinjiang?

the ethnic Uighur population used to be the majority in China's Xinjiang region


The largest of China's administrative regions, Xinjiang borders eight countries - Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India - and until recently its population was mostly Uighur.

Map of Xinjiang territory


Most Uighurs are Muslim and Islam is an important part of their life and identity. Their language is related to Turkish, and they regard themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations.

The region's economy has largely revolved around agriculture and trade, with towns such as Kashgar thriving as hubs along the famous Silk Road.

But development has brought new residents. In the 2000 census, Han Chinese made up 40% of the population, as well as large numbers of troops stationed in the region and unknown numbers of unregistered migrants.

Read more aspects of Uighurs, Xinjiang and the unrest at
BBC News - Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?

It is an interesting summary of various issues in the article(s).

 

[Sambha ka Boss]

Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?
The Xinjiang autonomous region in China's far west has had a long history of discord between the authorities and the indigenous ethnic Uighur population. The BBC sets out why.


Who Lives in Xinjiang?

the ethnic Uighur population used to be the majority in China's Xinjiang region


The largest of China's administrative regions, Xinjiang borders eight countries - Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India - and until recently its population was mostly Uighur.

Map of Xinjiang territory


Most Uighurs are Muslim and Islam is an important part of their life and identity. Their language is related to Turkish, and they regard themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations.

The region's economy has largely revolved around agriculture and trade, with towns such as Kashgar thriving as hubs along the famous Silk Road.

But development has brought new residents. In the 2000 census, Han Chinese made up 40% of the population, as well as large numbers of troops stationed in the region and unknown numbers of unregistered migrants.

Read more aspects of Uighurs, Xinjiang and the unrest at
BBC News - Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?

It is an interesting summary of various issues in the article(s).

Uyghurs just like Tibetans tried for independence after the end of Qing Dynasty but that was thwarted and then China's communist government started flooding Han Chinese in Xinjiang to keep better control of the region. In 1949, Han Chinese were just 4% of the population, now they are in majority in most of the major cities of the region. Although unregistered Han migrants are not counted in the census.

 

[Ray]

Uyghurs just like Tibetans tried for independence after the end of Qing Dynasty but that was thwarted and then China's communist government started flooding Han Chinese in Xinjiang to keep better control of the region. In 1949, Han Chinese were just 4% of the population, now they are in majority in most of the major cities of the region. Although unregistered Han migrants are not counted in the census.

That is what is called 'Sinicisation'. Converting all to be Han.

That is why the census states that 92% of this huge land mass is Han.

They have converted to means foul and intimidating all those who they captured as Han.

 

[Sambha ka Boss]

That is what is called 'Sinicisation'. Converting all to be Han.

That is why the census states that 92% of this huge land mass is Han.

They have converted to means foul and intimidating all those who they captured as Han.

They have historically been doing it. What Uyghurs and Tibetans facing today, the Miao/Hmong faced in late 1800s.

 

[Ray]

They have historically been doing it. What Uyghurs and Tibetans facing today, the Miao/Hmong faced in late 1800s.

Sinicization was first recorded in ancient Chinese classics sometime during Spring/Autumn period in a subtle way. At that time, the Chinese began to differentiate Huaxia people (the so-called "civilized" people or "hua 華" ) from the "yi 夷" (i.e "barbarians"). This is known as "Hua Yi Zi Bian 華夷之辨" (i.e the division between "civilized" and the "uncivilized"). According to this logic, the central plain are populated by the Huaxia people (i.e. civilized people) and then surrounded by "barbarians" in the north, south, east, west direction. The "barbarians" (i.e. the yi 夷) comprised of Dong Yi 東夷 (in the east), Xi Rong 西戎 (in the west), Nan Man 南蠻 (in the south) and Bei Di 北狄 (in the north).

Subtly, it's also a cultural influence from the Zhou feudal house towards other "more barbaric" Chinese state such as Chu, Zheng and attempting to sinicize them.

The Prime Minister of the state of Qi, Guan Zhong 管仲, proposed what's known as "Zun Wang Rang Yi 尊王攘夷" (meaning "respect the King, discriminate the barbarians"). This term first appeared in the history records "Chun Qiu Gong Yang Zhuan 《春秋公羊传》"" and is a form of protecting the central plain Chinese culture from the invasion of the "barbarians". Indirectly, its a subtle form of sinicization.

Confucius, in his editing of the history book "Chun Qiu 《春秋》", also mentioned the need to set theZhou rites 周禮 or manners as a "Civilized standard" (i.e. "Zun Wang Rang Yi 尊王攘夷" meaning "respect the King, discriminate the barbarians")

The book mentioned the following:

夷狄用诸夏礼则诸夏之
(The barbarians adopt the manners and rites of the Huaxia and become all Huaxia).

This is how Han sinicized the 'barbarians".

 

[Sambha ka Boss]

Sinicization was first recorded in ancient Chinese classics sometime during Spring/Autumn period in a subtle way. At that time, the Chinese began to differentiate Huaxia people (the so-called "civilized" people or "hua 華" ) from the "yi 夷" (i.e "barbarians"). This is known as "Hua Yi Zi Bian 華夷之辨" (i.e the division between "civilized" and the "uncivilized"). According to this logic, the central plain are populated by the Huaxia people (i.e. civilized people) and then surrounded by "barbarians" in the north, south, east, west direction. The "barbarians" (i.e. the yi 夷) comprised of Dong Yi 東夷 (in the east), Xi Rong 西戎 (in the west), Nan Man 南蠻 (in the south) and Bei Di 北狄 (in the north).

Subtly, it's also a cultural influence from the Zhou feudal house towards other "more barbaric" Chinese state such as Chu, Zheng and attempting to sinicize them.

The Prime Minister of the state of Qi, Guan Zhong 管仲, proposed what's known as "Zun Wang Rang Yi 尊王攘夷" (meaning "respect the King, discriminate the barbarians"). This term first appeared in the history records "Chun Qiu Gong Yang Zhuan 《春秋公羊传》"" and is a form of protecting the central plain Chinese culture from the invasion of the "barbarians". Indirectly, its a subtle form of sinicization.

Confucius, in his editing of the history book "Chun Qiu 《春秋》", also mentioned the need to set theZhou rites 周禮 or manners as a "Civilized standard" (i.e. "Zun Wang Rang Yi 尊王攘夷" meaning "respect the King, discriminate the barbarians")

The book mentioned the following:


This is how Han sinicized the 'barbarians".

Yes, whole of South China was Sinticized during the period of Late Tang Dynasty around 9-10th century, the non-Han people were categorized as cooked and uncooked barbarians. And the Turkic tribes had historically been the enemies of Han people. Uyghurs are Turkic too. Hans also have historically loathed Manchus and Mongols.

Irrespective of this you will find Chinese claiming how they have been united as a people since 221BC.

 

[Redhawk]

Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?

Uighurs are a subject people of the PRC empire and are in the process of having their territory colonised by Han Chinese with the colonisers being given preferential treatment by the state. Suppression of native Uighur culture and religion as well as undermining the natives economically are all classical methods of subjugating and colonising a subject people.

The Uighurs will probably be systematically dispossessed of their land and property by the PRC for distribution to and settlement by Han Chinese colonisers who are loyal to the PRC state, that's the next step. It's all been done before several times.

Whether the Uighurs' resistance to Han Chinese colonisation and subjugation progresses to a full-blown armed separatist insurgency remains, of course, to be seen. But it could if the Han Chinese start dispossessing the Uighurs of their land and property. Such an insurgency could be supported by Turkey and other Moslem nations who currently support in principle a fully independent Xinjiang as the Moslem state of East Turkestan, as Xinjiang is known in the Islamic world.

 

[s002wjh]

Uighurs are a subject people of the PRC empire and are in the process of having their territory colonised by Han Chinese with the colonisers being given preferential treatment by the state. Suppression of native Uighur culture and religion as well as undermining the natives economically are all classical methods of subjugating and colonising a subject people.

The Uighurs will probably be systematically dispossessed of their land and property by the PRC for distribution to and settlement by Han Chinese colonisers who are loyal to the PRC state, that's the next step. It's all been done before several times.

Whether the Uighurs' resistance to Han Chinese colonisation and subjugation progresses to a full-blown armed separatist insurgency remains, of course, to be seen. But it could if the Han Chinese start dispossessing the Uighurs of their land and property. Such an insurgency could be supported by Turkey and other Moslem nations who currently support in principle a fully independent Xinjiang as the Moslem state of East Turkestan, as Xinjiang is known in the Islamic world.

Is that base on ur anti China thinking or you have link to prove it. There are certainly discontent in the region but no one gonna support insurgents. Also you do know many these Uighur are trained with different terrorist group such as al Qaeda.

 

[Redhawk]

Is that base on ur anti China thinking or you have link to prove it. There are certainly discontent in the region but no one gonna support insurgents. Also you do know many these Uighur are trained with different terrorist group such as al Qaeda.

Actually, it is based on history. As I wrote, it's all been done before. And on the PRC's record in Tibet, another area of the PRC empire that Peking colonised with Han Chinese at the expense of the native population.

 

[s002wjh]

Actually, it is based on history. As I wrote, it's all been done before. And on the PRC's record in Tibet, another area of the PRC empire that Peking colonised with Han Chinese at the expense of the native population.

Not in modern era no country gonna support Uighur insurgency not turkey or other country Especially the east Turkestan group consider as terror group on US list

 

[sorcerer]

Not in modern era no country gonna support Uighur insurgency not turkey or other country Especially the east Turkestan group consider as terror group on US list

Yes, very natural for USA. Now they are gonna figure out accordingly if the Uighurs are bad or good..

Official American sympathy lies with the Uyghurs, seen as the victims of the long tentacles of Chinese power, exploited, impoverished and persecuted by Han Chinese. While the Uyghur cause is no doubt deserving, one thing is certain: the US is not going to go to war for them and is not going to finance militants among them to stage a revolt in the name of Uyghur freedom.

Asia Times Online :: China News, China Business News, Taiwan and Hong Kong News and Business.

 

[Redhawk]

Not in modern era no country gonna support Uighur insurgency not turkey or other country Especially the east Turkestan group consider as terror group on US list

It remains to be seen. As I've said, if the Uighurs are thoroughly dispossessed and the PRC tries to destroy them through famine, which would be a genocide, other Islamic countries could intervene and involve themselves. Dispossessing the Uighurs of all their land and property and giving their land and property to Han Chinese colonisers and then trying to destroy the Uighurs through a forced, man-made famine is entirely possible.

The CCP could easily murder the entire Uighur population by forced famine if they thought they could get away with it; and the CCP would do it with the endorsement of their supporters in the PRC. If the Communist Chinese failed to conceal such a forced famine to wipe out the Uighurs, it would of course greatly affect the PRC's relations with the entire Islamic world, including the oil-producing countries of the Middle East. But the CCP could keep it under wraps and prevent word from getting out.

There are only 10 million Uighurs. Mao Tse-tung slaughtered up to 45 million Han Chinese peasants in the forced famines of the Great Leap Forward from 1958-62. The CCP could well murder 10 million Uighurs by forced famine over just a few years and do it pretty easily.

Great Chinese Famine

 

[cobra commando]

Chinese city in restive Muslim region bans burqa - IBNLive

 

[sorcerer]

@Redhawk

If the Communist Chinese failed to conceal such a forced famine to wipe out the Uighurs, it would of course greatly affect the PRC's relations with the entire Islamic world, including the oil-producing countries of the Middle East.

As far as I know, the arabs dont give a damn about Uighers. THey are divided between themselves over ideology, economy and things. Net relationship with CCP wont be bad as long as CCP pays them fine.
Only reaction we can expect is the agencies in arab supporting and funding terrorists to fight for Uighers against CCP. Thats the usual modus operandi of Arabs.

 

[Redhawk]

@Redhawk



As far as I know, the arabs dont give a damn about Uighers. THey are divided between themselves over ideology, economy and things. Net relationship with CCP wont be bad as long as CCP pays them fine.
Only reaction we can expect is the agencies in arab supporting and funding terrorists to fight for Uighers against CCP. Thats the usual modus operandi of Arabs.

Yes, I've noticed on other forums how divided Moslems are on ideological matters. But I am sure some Islamic countries would react to the attempted genocide by forced famine of 10 million of their Moslem brothers. As for Arab agencies supporting and funding terrorists/insurgents to fight for the Uighurs against the Communist Chinese that's an absolute certainty.

 

[sorcerer]

@Redhawk

Forced famine would bring international attention. NGOs wil flourish...funds will flow..from arab countries..and west..part of it will be used for terrorists activities against China. China knows this. They wont do a force famine.

 

[Redhawk]

@sorcerer

Are you sure? The CCP could place a cordon around the area or place the area under quarantine and prevent anyone from entering or leaving. The PLA could take any food the Uighurs might have hoarded or hidden. Seal off the area very tightly and let the Uighurs die. This is what Joe Stalin did in Ukraine during the Holodomor 1932-33. They could wipe out the Uighurs in a little over a year.

Holodomor

 

[sorcerer]

@Readhawk.
Well, we are now in an era where people are more connected and Human rights violations are reported and is celebrated on social media and other medias. International pressure of large scale is something any country would be very careful about. Such violations by CCP is sure to strain China relationship with many countries. CCP doesnt really care..but then again these are some things CCP is trying to avoid.

China has other means.

The Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking minority of some 8 million people, whose traditional homeland lies in the oil-rich Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in northwest China, have become increasingly fearful for their cultural survival and traditional way of life in the face of an intensive internal migration drive that has witnessed the arrival of more than 1.2 million ethnic Chinese settlers over the past decade.

This will soon ensure that East Turkestan forego its religious identity hence problemo solved for China.
THis method is more sustainable than forced famine or other crackdown apparatuses.

 

[Redhawk]

@Readhawk.
Well, we are now in an era where people are more connected and Human rights violations are reported and is celebrated on social media and other medias. International pressure of large scale is something any country would be very careful about. Such violations by CCP is sure to strain China relationship with many countries. CCP doesnt really care..but then again these are some things CCP is trying to avoid.

China has other means.


This will soon ensure that East Turkestan forego its religious identity hence problemo solved for China.
THis method is more sustainable than forced famine or other crackdown apparatuses.

Yeah, maybe. We shall see, I suppose.

 

[sorcerer]

Yeah, maybe. We shall see, I suppose.

I am collecting and cataloguing articles from different sources on China's religious minorities. YOu can read it here.
http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/...minorities-china-chinas-balancing-game-2.html