ABSTRACT
The capture of Kashgar was a major victory for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) but it was far from being the end of the campaign in southern Xinjiang. Kashgar was the gateway to the section of ancient Silk Route south of the Taklamakan Desert which leads to the city of Khotan, and whoever controls Khotan controls the remainder of Southern Xinjiang. In December 1949, Bai Chushi's unit was ordered to leave Aksu, a city to the northeast of Kashgar, and to follow the Khotan river southwards. The Khotan area was part of the responsibility of 5th Division even though Khotan was remote from its garrison headquarters in Aksu. The Khotan Uyghurs had brought with them huge calabashes full of fresh water from the Khotan river so they were able to wash and drink normally for the first time in days. Han Chinese living or travelling in Xinjiang have frequently reported being told similar tales by local Uyghurs.
