Xinjiang—tackling extremism effectively

• Chinese government has effectively resisted the penetration of extremism and terrorism

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, commonly known as Xinjiang, is China’s largest province and is located in the Northwest. With an area of 1.66 million square kilometers bordering eight countries, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, the province is indeed a bridgehead in Eurasia. With thousands of years of history and home to 55 ethnic compositions, comprising 61pc of its total population of 22.64 million, Xinjiang is a melting pot of civilisations. It served as an important passage for the ancient Silk Road, which was a network of trade and commerce that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting the Occident to the Orient.

Merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads, and urban dwellers travelled along it to and from China and India to the Mediterranean Sea during various periods of time. Extending over 6.5 thousand kilometers, the Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative trade in Chinese silk carried out along its length, beginning during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). The Chinese, Greeks, Byzantine, Persians, Indians and Arabs, all utilised this route for trade and commerce but also for political, cultural and religious integration. Besides the social, commercial and spiritual aspects, the Silk Road had a profound effect on the pastoral as well as barbaric societies, erstwhile dwelling in isolation; they were drawn to the riches and opportunities of the civilizations connected by the routes. The marauders transformed themselves into skilled warriors, capable of conquering rich cities, fertile lands and forging strong military empires. The ancient Silk Road lost its utility with the development of the sea routes, most of which were quests for reaching the riches of China and India.

President Xi Jinping, in his wisdom and vision decided to reestablish the Silk Road under the title of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with a Maritime Silk Road component and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—its flagship project. Xinjiang plays a pivotal role in this project; CPEC emanates from the Port of Gawadar in Pakistan, terminating in Kashgar in Xinjiang wherefrom, it fans out into Central Asia and beyond into Europe, becoming a terminus of BRI.

With the elimination of the threat of violence, peace and stability has reemerged throughout the region. Tourism is picking up and the Uyghurs and other minorities can now rise to their true potential

Revival of the Silk Road is going to bring Eurasia closer through trade ties but President Xi Jinping must be acknowledged for his prescience in trying to bring prosperity to Xinjiang. In the initial stages, the eastern provinces of China, especially those closer to sea ports, reaped the fruits of rapid development. Relatively speaking, the western provinces were less developed than their opulent neighbours and this sense of deprivation was exploited by China’s detractors.

The province houses more than 15,000,000 Uyghurs, who are a Turkic Muslim ethnic group, who resided in East and Central Asia. Currently they are the majority population of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Like many populations of Central Eurasia, they are genetically related to both Caucasoid and East Asian populations.

Agitated by China’s rapid economic growth, some of its neighbours and the erstwhile sole economic power feeling threatened of losing its position, tried to incite the Uyghurs into rebellion and insurgency. “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” (ETIM) was created seeking an independent state. Various Uyghur organisations such as the World Uyghur Congress, led by Rebiya Kadeer, residing in self-exile in the US and active terrorist organisations such as the Turkistan Islamic Party are reportedly provided monetary support to foment trouble.

In the past few years, a series of violent terrorist incidents have occurred in Xinjiang promoting extremism. Some youth have been brainwashed and manipulated by terrorist organisations. A couple of years ago, not only violent terrorist incidents were frequent in Xinjiang, but a few terrorists even made ingresses into the mainland to create horrifying terrorist attacks in many central locations. The terrorist attacks seriously desecrated the people’s right of living peacefully and threatened the lives and property of people in Xinjiang as well as other parts of China.

President Xi Jinping has tackled the threat with a two pronged strategy i.e. deal with the terrorists with an iron fist, while eradicating the source of grievances by bringing prosperity, development and religious freedom to the Uyghurs and other minorities.

Unhappy at the failure of their heinous machination, the progenitors of conflict instigated the Uyghurs to continue their struggle, through sedition to persist with their acts of terrorism. Some of the major terrorist attacks in recent years include the 23 April 2013 Bachu attack; 28 October 2013, deliberate crushing of innocent pedestrians with a jeep on Chang’an Street Beijing; the 1 March 2014 violent terrorist attack at Kunming Railway Station; the 22 May 2014 Shayibak District Urumqi assault; 28 July 2014 Shache incident; to name a few.

The central government, while taking steps to improve the quality of life of the Chinese minorities, providing them ample opportunities to receive education, etc, is also taking effective measures to protect the lives and property of people. Among them, the introduction of anti-terrorism legislature is a relatively important element of these measures. China has adopted relevant rules, regulations and laws framed to standardise religious activities, to curb the spread of religious extremism, and to crack down on violent terrorist acts strictly in accordance with the law.

On 28 November 2014, “Regulations on Religious Affairs of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region” was adopted and implemented on 1 January 2015. The “Regulations” clarify the legal meaning of religious freedom and legal boundary of religious activities from perspectives of behavioural norms, and provide an effective mode of conduct for the realization of freedom of religious belief. The regulations define the legal parameters of relevant behaviors from both positive and negative aspects, so that all members of society can discern legal activities from illegal ones in the realm of religion; which are protected by law or are prohibited and punishable by law. The whole society can be cognizant of the norms guaranteeing religious freedom while maintaining religious and social harmony, and conserving social stability and achieving long-term stability.

On 27 December 2015, “Anti-Terrorism Law of the People’s Republic of China” was passed and implemented on 1 January 2016, stipulating that China opposes all forms of terrorism, bans terrorist organisations and has the right to investigate legal responsibility of individuals or organisations engaged in planning, preparing and implementing terrorist activities. China does not compromise in dealing with any terrorist organizations and personnel and does not provide asylum or grant refugee status to any terrorist personnel.

On 29 March 2017, “Regulations on De-extremisation in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region” was adopted, which took effect on 1 April 2017. The “Regulations” are the first local laws and regulations in Xinjiang to eliminate extremism. The law is also an important piece of legislation governing and building Xinjiang according to rule of law. It forbids promoting and spreading extreme ideas.

In addition, Chinese government has effectively resisted the penetration of extremism and terrorism in Xinjiang region through the way of empathy and education. Since strong and effective measures have been adopted by the central government, there has been no major terrorist attacks in China in the past two years. Xinjiang has undergone a turning point, not only eradicating the threat of terror in Xinjiang, but also fundamentally improving the security situation throughout the territory. With the elimination of the threat of violence, peace and stability has reemerged throughout the region. Tourism is picking up and the Uyghurs and other minorities can now rise to their true potential. Pakistan and other countries plagued by the scourge of terrorism and extremism can emulate some of the effective measures adopted by China to make the world a more peaceful place.