Introduction

Individuals and the Chinese state often have varied perceptions of Xinjiang and who the Uyghurs are. The introduction of the book thus begins with a contemporary history of the concept of minzu and how Uyghurs form and negotiate their identity in relation to this framework. In the process of negotiation, Uyghurs have been transformed from an indigenous population in Xinjiang to one of China’s ethnic minorities, or shaoshuminzu. The chapter then discusses the research methods used in this study and gives an overview of the book content.