The letter was written to Mr. Ruan Yunfei 冉云飞, a well-known Chinese writer and blogger, by someone from a very small minority group in Xinjiang after the Urumqi Incident. It provides a unique perspective into the ethnic relations in the region. It is unique because the author is neither Han nor Uighur and the voice from smaller minority groups in Xinjiang is seldom heard. The … [Read more...] about (Letter from may) Translation: Letter from Xinjiang – Reflections on the Xinjiang Problem
(Letter) A Tiny Memorial For A Tiny Life
"This maybe the world's tiniest memorial hall. Not quite 5 meter by 5 meter, it's intent is not to mark an important historical event, or eulogize a famous person, only to remember an ordinary life." … [Read more...] about (Letter) A Tiny Memorial For A Tiny Life
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
(Letter from Willow) China’s Ethnic Fault Lines
I would like to bring readers' attention to this article in the WSJ. As I do not personally live in China, I do not wish to comment at length on the issue though I personally feel the natural regionalism is countered by an equally strong cultural ethos of staying united, especially after so many attempts to divide up the country. … [Read more...] about (Letter from Willow) China’s Ethnic Fault Lines