ABSTRACT
Conflicts in Xinjiang not only depend on regime change or major ideological shifts of the incumbent authority, but also on long- as well as short-term policies. The central-local and majority-minority dynamics are brought into account to understand the impact of the state’s ethnic policies and other specific policies towards Xinjiang as well as political behaviour towards the Uyghur. The state policies towards the region are designed to achieve greater integration of the region and its people within the Chinese state. The limited autonomy not only undermines preferences of local people in selecting minority cadres for official ranks, but also restricts their role in political hierarchy. The chapter throws light on the political components of the state policies like ethno-regional autonomy, political representation of the Uyghurs, policy of population transfer to Xinjiang, introduction of family planning among the minorities and religious and education policies. It also highlights that frequent policy changes and discrimination of minority cadres in the region cause resentments among the minorities of Xinjiang. The chapter also stresses that XPCC, a unique production brigade, functions under the dual leadership of national and regional government who play an important political role in the region.
