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The "Uygur
Question" : A proposed model for resolution
by Stephen Sullivan
(Wednesday 07 January 2004)
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"The Beijing Olympics are around the corner and the
PRC is proclaiming itself the "New China". Markets are
opening up, US/Sino relations have never been better
but the Chinese have one small problem. The "Uygur
Question?" What to do with a 7.5 million strong Turkic
Muslim minority resident in their strategic north
west? Perhaps the time is right for a resolution of
this 2,000 year old question."
TThe "Uygur Question" needs resolution. It needs
resolution for a variety of reasons.
It is undoubted, despite PRC protestations to the
contrary, that the human rights of the Uygur people of
Xinjiang are being violated. There are unlawful
detentions, there are sham trials and there are even
executions. Religious freedom whilst far from being
trampled is compromised. Freedom of speech is non
existent, fear is pervasive.
The Uygur's unique culture is being eroded at a rapid
rate whether intentional consequence of PRC policy or
not.
The "Uygur Question" needs resolution from the Han
Chinese perspective too. The "Uygur Question" is a
constant thorn in it's side domestically and
internationally. It drains resources and manpower. It
invokes fear, real or otherwise, in it's citizenry as
well as within the organs of power. It presents a
strategic problem that the Han can do without.
The loss of the Uygur culture will be a loss to the
world as well. It will be of no less importance than
then the disappearing Amazon rainforests, or Panda
habitats or tiger populations, or the many other
issues that takes the world's attentions.
Not reaching a solution will see the total destruction
of a unique culture that goes back some 2,000 years,
the culture of the roots of a tree that has spread
it's branches throughout the world and impacted upon
it so greatly. These are a people that once ruled a
great and mighty empire at the crossroads of great
civilisations. The mighty Mongol Khans held them in
great esteem and adopted many of their cultural
elements, which they then took with them throughout
the known world. The Uygur culture is a time capsule.
A solution can be found and there is no better time
than the lead up to the Beijing Olympics for the
wheels to be put in motion. In fact it may be the last
opportunity, for, not for a long time hence, will the
PRC be so yearning for world approbation.
The solution, I believe, can be found in the acronym
LACIM.
Leadership
The Uygur must raise from it's ranks a leadership
group that can crystallise realistic objectives, unify
the Uygur people in the attainment of same and be able
to negotiate and facilitate change at the highest of
levels.
This leadership group and the process of
identification and funding must be supported and
facilitated by the People's Republic and the
international community. Without freedom and support
it is unlikely that people of the right calibre will
step forward given the PRC's history on dissent and
dissidents.
The criteria for membership of this group is that they
must be
- young
- intelligent and educated
- worldly and modern
- understanding of the needs of the Uygur peoples and
other cultures in Xinjiang
- cognisant of the culture and psychology of the Han
- acceptable by higher Han society and government
- acceptable by the greater world
Paradoxically that class of Uygur that is often
derided by their fellows, the Han educated, so called
"Sinofied Uygurs", provide the best criteria fit.
Many Uygur children are selected by the PRC for
special education within the mainstream Han education
system. Many are taken to school in Beijing and
educated through to university standard, many go on to
post graduate study. They are young, well educated,
more in touch with the modern world obviously fluent
in Chinese and generally in English. They have lived
the Han culture and value system and as such they are
not only able to successfully negotiate with the Han
but will have very real credibility with the greater
world generally.
There are also academics, artists, etc away from China
who have world experience without any political
allegiances that may fit the criteria.
The Uygur in diaspora who run "Uygur Organisations"
from the comfort of Europe or the United States have
no role to play in this leadership group. Like the
post Tzarist Russian emigre class they can offer
little and in fact will be a major hindrance to the
process if they continue with what the PRC see as
"China Bashing". Quite frankly such organisations have
done little to further the Uygur cause and with each
successive day away from Xinjiang the increasingly
less relevant they become. They do not, however, have
to be totally cut out of the equation and can, through
their myriad of international contacts, provide
support and encouragement to this new group and the
process they must undertake, however, this will
require quite a considerable "sea change" in their
posture.
Nor either can the supporters of Pan Turkic or Pan
Islamic ideologies play any role. Their ideologies are
completely the antithesis to the process that needs to
be undertaken. It goes without saying that militant
elements of any persuasion need not apply.
Acceptance Uygur
The new Uygur leadership must sell "acceptance" to the
reality that there will be no "Free Eastern Turkestan"
or that Xinjiang will become a part of a Pan Turkic or
Islamic state or confederation. Not only must the
Uygur people "accept" but they must also be seen to "accept"
and support the dropping of any claims to independence.
This is of vital importance to the process.
They also must accept the fact of the current
demographic situation and that this can not be undone.
People's Republic
The PRC must accept the Uygur as an ethnically and
cultural diverse peoples and different to the Han
Chinese. That, attempts at forced "Sinofication" or
cultural assimilation will not only fail and possibly
result in bloodshed but, that it is not the result
that in the longer term will be in the best national
interests of the PRC.
Further, they must accept that in the long term, if a
non peaceful resolution of the "Uygur Question" can
not be found, then that will adversely effect China's
standing in the eyes of the world and impact
negatively on all of it's international relations. The
"War on Terror" has provided a temporary mask for the
"Uygur Question" but this will not always be so.
The PRC given it's recent "New China" policy can
actually gain international kudos by it's mature
handling of the "Uygur Question" and preserve for
future generations a culture that has been so
historically important to the Chinese Nation.
Concessions
For the process to commence, let alone succeed, there
must be a demonstrative willingness and desire by both
parties, Uygur and Chinese, for it's success. This
will require both parties providing "concessions" to
prove the bona fide’s of their intentions. Mandatory
concessions would have to include
Uygur Concessions
- An international demonstration by the Uygur that
they formally, renounce any claims of Uygur or Islamic
sovereignty over Xinjiang. Examples could be by way of
Plebiscite or referenda.
- Similar demonstrations that they renounce all Pan
Turkic and/or Pan Islamic ambitions for themselves and
the region.
- Publicly disassociate themselves from any
organisation that promotes such ideologies
- Demonstrate that they are willing to accept the
current demographic make up of Xinjiang and they will
not request redress. Further that they will work
within it for the good of all Xinjiang's people and
China generally.
- Demonstrate that they accept that the Chinese
language is the main language of Xinjiang in terms at
least of higher education, trade, government and
employment.
- Acceptance of PRC population policies and
acknowledge that despite whatever policies and
programmes are put in place that the Han will
eventually become by far the dominant ethnic group in
Xinjiang.
- Renounce all claims as to financial or material
redress, a la the Inuit and the Australian aboriginal
scenarios, other than as set out below. That is no
land rights claims or claims for compensation.
- All Uygur diaspora organisations to review their
agendas in support of the process or else publicly be
disassociated by the Uygur of Xinjiang.
- Concede that Uygurs who have committed criminal or
terrorists acts must be made available for judgment by
duly constituted courts within the state framework.
- That the Uygur ,as part of their willingness to
recognise the realities of the current and future
demographic situation, offer that the word "Uygur" be
omitted from the title of the region
PRC Concessions
- An international demonstration that it accepts the
concept of multi culturalism within the Chinese state
and particularly as it concerns the Turkic people of
Xinjiang. This could be by way of official government
statement.
- Announce that all policies and legislation currently
implemented in Xinjiang will be reviewed by an
independent body for purposes of determining the "Sinofication"
effect inherent in them and, for them to be amended
accordingly.
- Announce a moratorium, for a period to be negotiated,
on Han migration to Xinjiang. This moratorium is to
remain in effect until other elements of this process
have born fruit. Put simply, no Han Chinese can "immigrate"
to Xinjiang within the period of the moratorium.
Economic, social and employment needs to be met by
contract workers or by way of "working visa"
arrangements similar to any nation state or by
exception through negotiation with the Uygur
leadership.
- Implement workable "Affirmative Action Policies" to
raise the quality of the Uygur to a level to allow
them to compete equally with the Han for employment
and business opportunities in all sectors of the
economy, including the Public service, and to ensure
non discrimination. This will be a determining factor
as to the to the length of the moratorium on Han
immigration.
- Be willing to negotiate long term "Flood controls"
on Han immigration to the region and actively
encourage the return of Uygurs now in diaspora.
- Exempt minorities from family planning legislation
as a partial offset to the inevitable growth of the
Han population through natural increase and
immigration.
- Announce the setting up of Minorities Cultural
Trusts eg Uygur Cultural Trust. These trusts are to be
the beneficiaries of a set percentage of Xinjiang GDP.
The purpose of the trusts to be worked out as to the
minutiae but include at least
- A trust similar to the National Trust of England for
the preservation of culturally unique buildings,
infrastructure and areas of historical and cultural
importance. This could include legislation similar to
"Sacred Site" legislation in Australia which allows
the Aborigines control over access and usage of these
areas. For example areas of Kashgar or Turpan could be
set aside for the Uygur whereby they have the right to
manage business and residential usage.
- Sub Committee for the setting up and management of
cultural education system to complement and provide
for eventual integration into the Han System
- Sub Committees to govern all other aspects of Uygur
and minorities culture eg performing and graphic arts.
- Reconstitute the government system so that it can be
fully representative of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang
in line with the original "Autonomous" regional model
that was so noble in theory and intent but did not
work in practice. This would include electoral
re-distributions and the avoidance of gerrymandering.
- Allow and provide infrastructure for the minorities
to educate their children in a manner that will ensure
an cultural grounding whilst preparing the child for
full integration into the Han System by late primary
or early secondary levels.
- Announce amnesty for political dissidents and
provide a facility for the peaceable re integration of
non- violent dissident groups and individuals without
fear of retribution.
Repeal or renounce any legislation or policies
limiting or denying freedom of religion, speech and
association.
Implementation
- Realistic time tables to be negotiated
- Regular evaluations of progress
- Dispute mechanisms agreed to
- Requests for international support both moral and
material (eg Foreign training scholarships etc)
- Community consultation, involvement and ownership of
the process.
Monitoring
- The whole process, for reasons of transparency and
dispute resolution, must be oversighted by an
independent international body agreed to by both
parties.
Conclusion
There can be a solution to the "Uygur Question" that
is win/win for both the Uygur and the Chinese.
Additionally, a peaceful resolution can be an
important component of the success or otherwise of
China's quest for international integration and
acceptance.
The process is by no means an easy one or one that can
be implemented successful overnight.
The concessions recommended are not inconsiderable,
and, will require enormous goodwill, foresight,
political will and courage. As well intensive analysis
and planning and a great deal of "marketing" will be
required.
But the result will far outweigh the cost and it's
achievement does not destroy or unduly compromise the
basic wants and needs of each party or their long term
goals. Yes, there are what appears to be impossible
requests for concessions, but if closely analysed they
are but small relative to the possible positive
outcomes. Of course the party die hards and the Uygur
nationalist organisations will need some heavy
convincing.
The summary points of the hoped outcome are:
- The Chinese will be assured that Xinjiang will not
become an area of political turbulence and even armed
insurgency and, as such, can divert resources to the
continued opening up of this strategically and
economically vital area. China's national integrity is
assured and even bolstered
- International kudos will flow to the PRC with
contingent goodwill. One thorn will be removed from
their side.
- Success will greatly lessen the hopes and
aspirations of Central Asian terrorist or Islamic
fundamentalist groups thus adding to the stability of
the region.
- International pressure over Taiwan will decrease as
the Chinese can demonstrate to the world their
reasonableness.
- The Uygur will have sufficient control over their
cultural and religious integrity and political future
to maintain their cultural integrity far into the
future.
- The Uygur can be raised, through affirmative action
programmes, to more fully and equitably participate in
the share of the economic benefits of the region thus
lessening a major element of potential unrest and
increasing economic results for Xinjiang.
- The Uygur, not being a small part of the population,
have an important economic role to play. By
effectively making them partners in Xinjiang's
economic results through indexing funding to the GDP
the area is assured of their participation.
- An economic boom will ultimately ensue, particularly
with regards to tourism, which very much untapped at
present.
- The Uygur if they are supportive as a result of
these initiatives are the perfect conduits (as they
have been for 2,000 years) for trade to and from the
Central Asian Republics.
- Fear and violence will be eradicated among the
citizens of Xinjiang.
The Uygur Question can be solved it just needs the
political will.
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