Guide Note

China's Uighurs are a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority of Turkic descent, the majority of whom inhabit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. There are active Uighur communities in most Chinese cities and a diasporic community that can be found in many cities around the world. Uighurs are famous in China for their cuisine, consisting of a variety of unleavened breads, lamb stews, and grilled skewers. Uighur is an Altaic language in the Turkic language family, that shares many similarities with Turkish proper and other Central Asian languages. The Uighurs have a long history and rich culture with strong traditions of literature, music, art, and medical practice.

Fast Facts

1. An ethnic minority in China
2. Mostly occupy the Xinjiang Autonomous Region
3. An estimated 8.4 million Uighurs worldwide
4. Uighur is a Turkic language
5. Active separatist movement
6. Seek to establish the independent "East Turkmenistan"
7. China has labeled Uighur separatists "terrorists"
8. Human rights groups, and to a large extent journalists, have not been allowed into Xinjiang

There is a strong separatist movement among Uighurs that calls for the transformation of Xinjiang into the independent "East Turkmenistan." Following 9/11, China used this separatist movement as a cause to join the United States in the War on Terror. The primary argument for Uighur independence is that the Chinese government threatens the culture and religious freedom of the people. Schools in Xinjiang, it is pointed out, are taught in Chinese and, though allowed to practice Islam, the Chinese government has placed strict controls of the governance of mosques, availability of religious documents and information, nature of personal practice and religious expression and the availability of religion to those under the age of 18. China asserts that it has a legitimate historic claim over Xinjiang, argues that it provides adequate freedoms and efforts at cultural protection and that it enables economic growth and prosperity in the region.