Comments on: Uyghurs Speak Out on Hotel Restrictions

By: Ex Xinjiang Expat

Ex Xinjiang Expat — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:02:53 +0000

Readers of this blog–and bloggers themselves–might be interested in the recently released US Congressional-Executive Commission on China 2008 Annual Report on human rights and legal reforms in the People’s Republic of China. There is a special section this year on Xinjiang, pp 168-181:

http://www.cecc.gov/pages/annualRpt/annualRpt08/CECCannRpt2008.pdf

By: james

james — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:12:32 +0000

hmm, yes tommy.

this is also interesting in terms of a particular historical consciousness among most Han concerning their past, whether that past true or false. If schooled or not most Han appeal to this very long [cultural] history, which they see themselves as heirs of. Misinformation, chauvinism and select amnesia also play a part in this very real current which undergirds Han identity.

By: tommy

tommy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:50:45 +0000

@James
Exactly right. Too bad most Chinese young people have little/no interaction or true first hand knowledge not just about the “56 minorities” but also about anything related to 20th century Chinese history. And God help the foreigner that tries to point out something about China to a Chinese. “You foreigner! How can you understand 5000 years of history? Your country only has 200 years of history!!!” (yumen!)

By: Global Voices Online » China: Uyghurs Speak Out on Hotel Restrictions

Global Voices Online » China: Uyghurs Speak Out on Hotel Restrictions — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:29:19 +0000

[...] New Dominion follows up the hotel restrictions against Uyghurs in Beijing by collecting more Uyghur thoughts over the issue. Posted by Oiwan Lam Print Version Share [...]

By: James

James — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:12:55 +0000

@ ralphie

Totally agree with your comment. We find the same mentality in many an argument from the greater Han perspective. Hey yu Americans oppressed and flattened the Indians. How can yu criticize what we do in Xinjiang, Tibet , etc.,? I always find such arguments a tacit admission of guilt and an adroit means of covering over culpability in the present

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:03:49 +0000

ASDF has also overlooked a key point that makes his comparison meaningless. For all of its flaws, the American invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan have not targeted the Iraqi and Afghan people at all. The citizens of those countries have gotten caught in the crossfire. This is the main tragedy. Moreover, in the case of both conflicts, the Americans have gone out of their way to support the populations of those countries, although this support has been hindered by continuing violence.

This goes back to what Azamat said. If a small minority is attacking you, why do you target the majority? For your example to be correct, the Americans would have to be actively suppressing the Afghan people within Afghanistan, not to mention the Muslims who live in the US. There is no evidence that this is or has ever occurred.

I advise you to get back to the questions this post raises and avoid poor comparisons which, even if they were correct, which they are not, would only, as Ralphie indicates, seek to vidicate oppression of the mainstream Uyghur and Tibetan populations within China.

By: Ralphie

Ralphie — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:56:04 +0000

asdf, please, your line of argument is not even original. I have no idea why so many people love using this type of argument: “Look, Hitler is so bad, what’s wrong with me punching someone in the face in school?” This is so juvenile.
No one mentioned 9/11. Besides, I agree that America needs to reflect its “my enemy’s enemy is my friend” policy. But putting that aside, suppose America’s system is a filthy pig rolling in the mud, then you are satisfied if China jumps in and roll with in? It doesn’t make you any better if all you can do is comparing with some bad examples. I don’t see how China can supposedly take over the US if all it can do is pointing at America’s problem and neglect its own.

By: asdf

asdf — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:16:48 +0000

When someone commits a crime, it’s obvious the big question is that why he/she resort to it.

You know, if you agree with that, then the Americans have it all wrong. They should reflect why there are people who are willing to do suicide missions, e.g. 9/11, instead of fighting back. Didn’t see much reflecting in even such a developed democracy.

By: China Journal : Best of the China Blogs: October 29

China Journal : Best of the China Blogs: October 29 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:16:58 +0000

[...] of China’s Uighur minority respond to recent incidents of discrimination by hotels unwilling to accept Uighur guests. [The New [...]

By: Swan

Swan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:43:13 +0000

The problem occurs when commentators blame the Chinese government when reality who is the Chinese government, the PRC,the CCP or local regional governments. As mentioned in the anti-ramadhan blog, local government officials carry out policies which contradict state policies elsewhere in the country. Question is how to tackle this issue, porfiry argues that it is difficult as there is no one voice for the Uyghurs, whereas the diaspora comments border on unchecked claims.What about those who are there like yourselves who are aware of the complexities in Xinjiang society?