Ethnic Conflict in Xinjiang, China

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Literature review on ethnic Conflict in Xinjiang, China : implications on South Asian Security

Ethnic conflict in Xinjiang, China has become a major concern for both China and the
international community, particularly for South Asian countries. This region has a long history
of ethnic tensions, which have been exacerbated in recent years due to government policies
aimed at suppressing separatist movements and promoting assimilation of ethnic minorities
into the dominant Han Chinese culture.

The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is home to several ethnic groups, including the
Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim Turkic-speaking minority group. Tensions between the
Uighurs and the Han Chinese population have been rising since the 1990s, fueled by economic,
cultural, and religious differences. The Chinese government has responded to the perceived
threat of separatism in the region by implementing strict security measures, including mass
surveillance, internment camps, and police crackdowns on dissent.

These actions have been widely criticized by human rights organizations, who have
documented cases of widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture,
and forced labor. The situation has also raised concerns among South Asian countries, who are
worried about the impact of ethnic conflict in Xinjiang on regional security.

One of the main implications of the ethnic conflict in Xinjiang for South Asian security is the
potential for increased instability and cross-border migration. The Chinese government’s
crackdown on the Uighur population has led to a growing number of refugees and asylum
seekers, who are crossing into neighboring countries, such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This
has put a strain on regional resources and created security concerns, as the refugees may be
vulnerable to exploitation and radicalization.

Another concern for South Asian security is the potential for increased terrorism and
extremism in the region. The Chinese government has claimed that the Uighur separatist
movement has links to international terrorist organizations, and some experts have raised
concerns that the crackdown in Xinjiang may be radicalizing elements of the Uighur population
and increasing the risk of terrorism.
In conclusion, the ethnic conflict in Xinjiang, China has far-reaching implications for South
Asian security. The Chinese government’s policies towards ethnic minorities in the region,
including the crackdown on dissent and the internment of Uighurs, have raised concerns about
human rights abuses and the potential for increased instability and terrorism in the region. As
such, it is important for South Asian countries to closely monitor the situation and engage with
China to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict.

Quick Wick

What are the research gap in research over ethnic conflict in Xinjiang: implications on South
Asian Security

There are several research gaps in the current literature on ethnic conflict in Xinjiang and its
implications on South Asian security. Some of these include:

Lack of access to information: Due to the Chinese government’s strict control over information
in Xinjiang, it can be difficult to obtain accurate and comprehensive data on the situation. This
makes it challenging for researchers to fully understand the extent of the conflict and its
impact on regional security.

Limited focus on regional security implications: While much of the research on ethnic conflict
in Xinjiang has focused on human rights abuses, there has been limited analysis of the
potential security implications of the conflict for South Asia. More research is needed to better
understand the potential risks and challenges posed by the conflict for regional security.

Limited comparative analysis: There has been limited comparative analysis of the ethnic
conflict in Xinjiang and similar conflicts in other parts of the world. This makes it difficult to
understand the broader context of the conflict and its implications for regional security.

Lack of attention to local perspectives: Much of the existing research has been conducted from
a Western perspective and has not given sufficient attention to local perspectives and
experiences of the conflict. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation, it is
important to consider the perspectives of those directly affected by the conflict.

Inadequate understanding of the root causes of the conflict: While much has been written
about the symptoms of the conflict, there is limited understanding of the root causes,
including economic, cultural, and political factors. Further research is needed to gain a deeper
understanding of the underlying drivers of the conflict and its potential solutions.

In conclusion, there is a need for more comprehensive and nuanced research on ethnic conflict
in Xinjiang and its implications for South Asian security. This should involve a more multi-
disciplinary and comparative approach, and give greater attention to local perspectives and the
root causes of the conflict.