I watched the national day parade on TV with my family, and liked it. As expected, the Chinese government managed to put out an impressive show. Then I read some media's coverage of the parade. Well, let's just say that those writings were as expected too. Anyway, there are a number of memes and other little oddities, in no particular order, that I want point out. As the title … [Read more...] about Nitpicking Media's Coverage of PRC's 60th Anniversary Parade
The mathematics of 10,000 disappearing Uighurs: refuting a refutation of Kadeer's claim
In recent days, there have been widespread and unchallenged reports of Rebiya Kadeer's accusation in Japan that 10,000 Uighurs disappeared overnight in Urumqi on July 5. I can not find a transcript of Ms. Kadeer's press conference speech. The following, from the Guardian, is one of the more detailed and also seemingly the most critical account of her accusation: "Almost 10,000 … [Read more...] about The mathematics of 10,000 disappearing Uighurs: refuting a refutation of Kadeer's claim
Uighurs and population control in Xinjiang
Amid all the debates regarding how and to what extend Uighurs benefited or suffered from preferential policies or discriminations in Xinjiang, there is much confusion in one particular subject. Namely, are Uighurs subject to the (in)famous population control regulation (AKA family planning)? And if so, what kind of restrictions do they face? This post tries to answer these … [Read more...] about Uighurs and population control in Xinjiang
Translation: phone conversation with my Uighur college classmate after the riot
Note: this post is a translation of an article titled "phone conversation I had with my Uighur college classmate after the riot". There have been allegations in recent days that most of the deadly violences were carried out by outsiders of Urumqi (i.e., not residents of the city). This article contains some details of such allegations. … [Read more...] about Translation: phone conversation with my Uighur college classmate after the riot
Two restraints + one leniency = a backfiring minority policy on all
Note: This post is a selective and partial translation of an article written by a second generation Han "settler" born and raised in Xinjiang. That article is titled "一个兵团二代的网文：告诉你真实的乌鲁木齐" (A net article by a 2nd generation Bingtuan kid: let me tell you the real Urumqi). It is a long and detailed account of the author's memory of growth of and growing up in Urumqi as well as … [Read more...] about Two restraints + one leniency = a backfiring minority policy on all