East Turkestan
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
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East Turkestan is a historical term applied to the vast region of northwestern China, now the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The name derives from the division of Central Asia into Western Turkestan (which came under Russian imperial control) and Eastern Turkestan (which fell under Qing imperial Chinese rule) during the nineteenth century.
Use of the term carries political significance. The Chinese government rejects the term, viewing it as associated with independence aspirations; its official name is Xinjiang. Many Uyghur diaspora organizations prefer the term East Turkestan to signal a position distinct from the central government's stance.
Geography and People
The region comprises the Taklamakan Desert, the Tarim Basin, the Tian Shan mountains, and Dzungaria. The population includes Uyghurs (a Turkic Muslim people), Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Hui Muslims, and Han Chinese. The Han Chinese population of the region grew significantly during the twentieth century as a result of migration and state policy.
Political History
Two states have declared themselves using this name. The First East Turkestan Republic was proclaimed in Kashgar in the 1930s but was short-lived. The Second East Turkestan Republic existed in the northern part of the region from 1944 to 1949, receiving political and military support from the Soviet Union. Following the Chinese Communist Party's victory in 1949, the region was incorporated into the People's Republic of China, and in 1955 an autonomous regional structure was established.
Current Situation
Since 2017, numerous reports from governments, human rights organizations, and some United Nations bodies have documented extensive restrictions in Xinjiang, including detention facilities holding large numbers of people, technological surveillance, and religious restrictions. The Chinese government states that these measures are counterterrorism and economic development efforts. The issue has become one of the most contentious points in relations between China and Western countries.