Quote:
Originally Posted by ariel
Chinese authorities discriminate against Uyghurs left and right.
Uyghur language is banned in Xinjian as a language of instruction from schools to colleges/Universities. Everything is in Chinese.
Islam ( Uyghur religion) is practically banned. Everything resembling adherence to daily Muslim practices is forbidden: growing a beard for men, wearing head scarves for women etc. Not drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco is a ground for “re-education”. Religious Islamic education is banned. Mosques are converted into secular offices.
Close to a million people are in the “re-education” or plainly concentration camps, and another million have to serve as informers. Buying a kitchen knife has to be sanctioned by Chinese authorities. Everybody has to attend weekly gatherings of hoisting Chinese flag and sing Chinese anthem. All press and radio/TV is in Chinese. Having a relative living abroad is a valid ground for an anti- Chinese suspicion.
Etc, etc, etc.
Indeed, why don’t Uyghurs view China positively?
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In the late 1980s, after the Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, armed and combat-trained units of the Uighur Mujahideen began to return home to Xinjiang. The Chinese authorities were not happy with them. Since that time, the conflict either subsides or flares up more strongly. But until recently, this did not interfere with the production of traditional Uighur knives. On the contrary, the authorities believed that the opportunity to make good money on tourists makes the craftsmen loyal. And the authorities had reason to believe so - the traditionally negative Tibetans became much more loyal after the growing flow of Chinese tourists allowed them to earn good money. But apparently in the case of the Uighurs, something went wrong as expected.
Perhaps someone does not know, but it is in Xinjiang that the Chinese mine and enrich uranium for their nuclear projects. There are also nuclear test sites and bases for strategic ballistic missiles aimed at India and Russia. As it is not difficult to guess, one should not hope for an easy and simple solution to the conflict.