Published July 6th, 2009 by Future Atlas
China’s Restive Uighurs
Resentment and hostility toward Han Chinese seem to be common among the largely Muslim, Turkic Uighurs, who make up a diminishing percentage of Xinjiang’s population as Han move in in growing numbers, with the encouragement of the Chinese government. Whether a majority of Uighurs favor independence is not known.
In any case, China is not going to willingly consider any kind of real autonomy for the Uighurs anytime soon, both on general principle and due to Xinjiang’s immense size and strategic location. With the Uighurs unable to compel any Chinese action, little is likely to change for years to come.
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