On Saturday, Xi gave a major speech in Urumqi, the regional capital, where he emphasized the importance of “social stability” and the need for counterterrorism measures aXi Jinping is doubling down on China’s repressive Xinjiang policy.
nd additional “Sinocizing” of Islam, the predominant religion of the Uyghurs who make up the majority of the indigenous population.
The international community has been increasingly critical of China’s Xinjiang policies in recent years, culminating in a United Nations human rights report that accused Beijing of possibly committing crimes against humanity. It has been called genocide by the United States and Europe, both of which have sanctioned Xinjiang authorities.
However, in his address on Saturday, Xi claimed he “recognizes” the Xinjiang policy.
“[We] have to combine the anti-terrorism and anti-secessionist struggle with the legalized and regularized efforts for stability maintenance,” Xi stated during an unexpected detour on his way back from the BRICS meeting in South Africa. We need a deeper Sinofication of Islam to deal with all kinds of illicit religious activity.
According to Xi, China would keep retraining Uyghurs for jobs outside the area and teaching them standard Chinese.
Beijing claims that economic growth is vital to social stability, whereas activists have long argued that these measures are meant to water down the ethnic identity of the population.
“Xi stressed the need for more positive propaganda to show an open, confident Xinjiang,” said CCTV, the government-run news network. There has to be concerted action to counteract false and unfavorable media coverage.
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