Uyghur separatism stems from Chinese rule

Last updated Nov 23, 2022

What Beijing needs to recognize is that its own policies are the root causes of Uighur resentment. Rather than trying to stamp out the problem through force and repression alone, the Chinese government should instead do what it can to improve the conditions that fuel separatist feelings.

• Chung, C. (2002). China’s “War on Terror”: September 11 and Uighur Separatism. Foreign Affairs, 81(4), 8. scihub:10.2307/20033235

There is no evidence that Salafism, the radical Islamic ideology connected to many jihadist movements around the world, has taken root to any significant extent in Xinjiang. Proponents of rebellion against Chinese rule have used the vocabulary of Islam and religious grievances against Beijing to justify their actions. These are not, however, mainstream views.

• Devastating Blows; Religious Repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, p. 3

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