An ethnic Uygur, the predominant
group in China's Xinjiang Province, confronts
Chinese troops during
unrest four years ago. Like many in Tibet, Uygur activists
believe Beijing has never
allowed the self-determination it promised when it
first attempted to impose
its control in the 1940s-50s. Government backing for
the migration of predominantly
Han Chinese to Xinjiang has also raised hackles
among local Uyghurs, who perceive
a war on their culture.
Despite Western Aid to Xinjiang Terrorists, China Will Overcome
(Global Times, China)
Are America and other Western countries providing aid and
comfort to 'terrorists' in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region? According
to this editorial from China's state-run Global
Times, there is no point in trying to reason with Westerners, who insist on standing
'against the facts and feelings of the Chinese people.'
An enraged Uyghur activist during the 2009 unrest in Xinjiang: Beijing's attempts to tie disquiet in the region to the global battle against terrorism have so far failed.
Western
public opinion has once again stood against the facts and feelings of the
Chinese people. Media in the West have spread claims made by the World Uyghur Congress
that "continued suppression and provocation" is the reason for recent
unrest in Xinjiang, depicting violent terrorist rioting as part of an
"ethnic conflict." This outside support indulges the views of these
violent terrorists, who are in fact a small, isolated group.
These
terrorists have no choice but to totally transform themselves or be destroyed.
Extreme Islamism backed by the West has come to a dead end in Russia
[presumably Chechnya], which demonstrates that such links will not succeed. These
violent Xinjiang terrorists are doomed to failure.
By
providing such easy support, Western public opinion is fooling these ignorant
extremists. If China were a tiny country, violent terrorism fueled by the West
might stir major political problems. However, China's size and the reality that
Xinjiang is a part of China with core interests intractably tied to the rest of
the country makes this less of a problem.
Violent
terrorists are enemies of the majority of people in Xinjiang and their
compatriots in the rest of China. These violent forces may bring momentary pain
to society, but in terms of the political situation, they represent nothing but
a passing annoyance.
Arguing
with the West is fruitless. Westerners won't change their attitudes toward
Xinjiang. But China's capacity to weaken the West's political offensive is strengthening.
The tools the West once used to influence China have been degraded and no
longer disturb China's development. Those hostile forces cannot be optimistic
about their prospects.
The
people of Xinjiang and all Chinese should be encouraged to publicly speak out.
Chinese public opinion should overwhelm public opinion in the West, deterring
the violent Xinjiang terrorists.
Terrorism
is an unacceptable evil. China's unity cannot be permitted to be challenged.
The outside world should understand that. China is confronted with the daunting
task of combating terrorism, but it is notable that dealing with cases of
violence is not its most difficult challenge.
The
debates over how to govern Xinjiang continue, which should be distinguished
from the struggle against terrorist forces. Some of those hostile to China try
to conflate the two.
Since
the public is greatly united in the fight against violence and terrorism,
crackdowns on these evils cause little controversy, and is only a matter of
mobilizing tools resources.
China
is entering a period of conflict and difficulty related to the activities of
violent terrorists. But China's endurance and stability are being reinforced,
which will have a profound influence on Xinjiang.
Chinese
public opinion is well mobilized to focus on the Xinjiang riots. Terrorism will
end, and outside forces will not provide terrorists with the practical support they
need to become a force capable of shaking Xinjiang.
