Xinjiang politics

Xinjiang  which was annexed by China in the mid-eighteenth century, is mostly populated by Turkic-speaking Muslims, the majority of whom are Uyghurs. A long custom of exchanges with China, these people are connected,  primarily by relation of culture and religion, to the Central Asian world. Probably this is one reason why, though they are becoming increasingly unified with China, they have never very willingly accepted the idea of sharing a common destiny with the Chinese people.

Late in 1949, Xinjiang capitulated to the Chinese Communists without a battle, but there was a Uigur insurrection in Hotan in 1954. On the base of the 1953 census, which showed the Uigurs to comprise 74% of the population, Xinjiang was again an independent region. Independent districts were made as well for the Kazakhs, Mongols, Hui, and Kyrgyz. In the 1950s and 1960s, the central government sent massive numbers of Chinese to Xinjiang to help develop water-conservancy and mineral-exploitation plans. This has drastically changed the population balance, and the Chinese are approaching numerical parity with the Uigurs. National defense has been an attention in the strategic and susceptible region too. In 1969, frontier incidents led to fighting between Soviet and Chinese forces along the border.

In the 1990s, the Turkic peoples of Xinjiang grew increasingly not not satisfied with Chinese rule, in part because of the immigration of great numbers of Chinese to the area as a result of government resettlement programs, and rioting by pro-independence Muslims broke out in 1997. China subsequently increased the number of troops in the region, and has established a harsh crackdown on political dissent and Turkic separatists. Orthodox Islamic practices have been disappointed or suppressed by the government for fear that they will become a focus of Uigur nationalism. Occasional anti-Chinese protests and ethnic insurgency have occurred since 1997, most violently in 2009, and there also have been separatist attacks on government officials and buildings and other targets.

Work Cites: http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/world/xinjiang-history.html#ix
http://chinaperspectives.revues.org/648

Xinjiang Traditions and Culture

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has a wealthy and time-honored cultural tradition, shaped by a diversity of ethnic groups and constituting an important part of the Chinese culture.
Xiyu (the "western regions") is the ancient name of Xinjiang. Since very old time, many different ethnic groups have been living integrated in this area. These hardworking and creative people have contributed to the world-renowned Xiyu Culture, which covers a wide spectrum.
Over the last five decades, the Xinjiang people have continued their rich cultural traditions, and further developed and enriched their distinct multi-ethnic cultures, thus making today's cultural scene in Xinjiang even more exotic and appealing.

Xinjiang has long been known as "a land of song and dance." Singing and dancing are integral parts of the local life and have been around for centuries. Impressed by the ancient Silk Road civilizations, and the exchange and integration of the Eastern and Western cultures, the song-and-dance styles have developed their own unique charm and stand out as sparkling jewels among all such art forms across China.

The history of Xinjiang's arts and culture development is yet another martyrdom to China's remarkable growth over the years. At the dawn of the 21st century, the people in Xinjiang, in particular all those who are private to its cultural development, are determined to carry forward their cultural traditions, learn from all different cultures, be open to new ideas, and with spirit and confidence work with all peoples of the world to build a global civilization that fully embraces the ideal of "harmony in diversity."

Work Cite: http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_focus/2005-09/13/content_72771_3.htm

Water pollution in Xinjiang

Water scarcity has been one of the largest problems facing Xinjiang. Between the 1950s and 1980s, Xinjiang saw a massive decrease in the total surface area of its lakes, from 9,700 square kilometers to 4,953 square kilometers. Climate related drought and human activities are the two major causes for the shrinking of Xinjiang's lakes. In the late 1950s, thirteen dams were built on the upper reaches of the Kongque River for irrigation purposes. By 1964, Lake Lop Nor, which was fed by the river, completely dried up.

With naturally salty water, Xinjiang also faces problems with water salinization. There are only three freshwater lakes in Xinjiang—out of a total of one hundred and thirty-nine. Over the past few decades, the salinity of Xinjiang's lakes has increased as many lakes have begun to dry up. As lake water depths have decreased, the proportion of salt in the water has likewise increased.

Xinjiang is hometown to 47 ethnic minorities, which together account for 60% of its total population. Of the 47 ethnic minorities, 13 are native, including the Uygur, the main ethnic group living here. The Uygur have their own language and religious belief, Islam.

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located in the central part of the Eurasian Continent, on the northwest border of China. Xinjiang takes up one sixth of China’s total area, 16 times as large as Zhejiang Province, making it the largest of China’s regions and provinces.

In Xinjiang there are glaciers, snow-capped mountains, immense deserts, dense forests, lush grasslands, lakes, wetlands and the fantastic Yadan landform unique to Xinjiang. You can find almost all kinds of natural scenery in this region. People who have lived in the cities for too long will feel their visions broadened when they see the beauty of the great nature in Xinjiang.

Source: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/xinjiang/