Why the West is silent on rioting in Xinjiang

Frank Ching
Why the West is silent on rioting in Xinjiang

When China slapped Tibet, the world shouted. But things change



From Tuesday's Globe and Mail Last updated on Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2009 03:01AM EDT

The rioting in Xinjiang last week echoed violence in Tibet last year but, interestingly, the international reaction has been very different.

Last year, Western countries put pressure on Beijing to hold a dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy even threatening to boycott the Beijing Olympics if China refused. Beijing's protestations that Tibet was an internal Chinese affair were disregarded.

This time, however, the Western response is muted. The United States has adopted a mild tone, with President Barack Obama merely calling on all parties in Xinjiang “to exercise restraint.” The European Union has gone even further, taking the position that violence in Xinjiang “is a Chinese issue, not a European issue.” Serge Abou, the EU's ambassador to China, said Europe also had its problems with minorities and “we would not like other governments to tell us what is to be done.”

While there are similarities between events last year in Tibet and those in Xinjiang this month, the world has changed: China is now seen as an indispensable partner of the United States and Europe, both of which are facing a financial crisis. Beijing's diplomatic assistance in resolving the Iranian and North Korean nuclear issues is also seen as too important to put in jeopardy.

What reaction there has been came mainly from Muslim countries. The Saudi-based Organization of the Islamic Conference, which represents 57 Muslim governments, condemned what it called the excessive use of force against Uyghur civilians. At least 184 people, both Uyghurs and Han Chinese, have been killed.

The OIC statement declared: “The Islamic world is expecting from China, a major and responsible power in the world arena with historical friendly relations with the Muslim world, to deal with the problem of Muslim minority in China in broader perspective that tackles the root causes of the problem.”

The country that has taken the strongest position is Turkey, whose people share linguistic, religious and cultural links with the Uyghurs. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan actually went so far as to characterize what has happened as “a kind of genocide” and said his country would bring the matter up in the United Nations Security Council.

Since then, China's Foreign Minister has spoken on the telephone with his Turkish counterpart and apparently invited Turkey to send journalists to Xinjiang. This would be good if the journalists would be allowed not only into Urumqi but to other areas as well, such as Kashgar, where foreign journalists are currently barred.

While Indonesian Muslims have voiced support for the Uyghurs, with about 100 attending a mass prayer session in Jakarta on Sunday, the government itself has not taken a position, even though Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country.

One problem for the Uyghurs is that the world at large knows little about them. Events of the past week have served to publicize their cause. Hitherto, publicity on Uyghurs has focused on the 22 who were held by the United States in Guantanamo, but a link to terrorist suspects is not likely to gain them public support.

Rebiya Kadeer, the U.S.-based Uyghur activist accused by Chinese officials of instigating the violence, is seeking American support for her cause and has urged the United States to open a consulate in Urumqi. This, she said, “would be a clear signal that the United States is not indifferent to the oppression of my people.” China has denied a request for an American consulate in Tibet and is unlikely to allow one in Xinjiang.

The Urumqi events were followed by demonstrations, mostly by ethnic Uyghurs around the world. Eggs were hurled at the Chinese consulate-general in Los Angeles, while the one in Munich was attacked by home-made gasoline bombs. (Munich is also home to the headquarters of the World Uyghur Congress, of which Ms. Kadeer is president.)

Demonstrations were also held in Turkey, the Netherlands, Norway, Australia, Japan and Sweden. Ms. Kadeer herself led a protest march in Washington to the Chinese embassy.

The Uyghurs lack a charismatic figure such as the Dalai Lama to lead them. But China, perhaps unwittingly, may provide the solution. It is likening Ms. Kadeer to the Dalai Lama, saying they are both “separatists.” The People's Daily has actually called her the “Uyghur Dalai Lama” and warned the Nobel committee not to award her the Peace Prize. Beijing may not realize it, but likening Rebiya Kadeer to the Dalai Lama may actually win her supporters in the West.
Frank Ching is author of China: The Truth About Its Human Rights Record.