Minzu

The chapter first explores the rise of nationalism in the early 20th century and the introduction of the minzu concept in China. The rise of nation-states and the consequent experiences of migration have shaped Uyghurs’ perceptions of minzu. The chapter then turns to construction of identity based on Uyghurs’ perceptions of this historical period and the migration experiences of individual merchants. Political turbulence in the 1960s and 1970s witnessed the emigration of Soviet citizens, mainly the “White Russians” (anti-Bolsheviks), from Xinjiang to Australia. This group later helped the Uyghurs move to and settle in Australia. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, the mobility of Uyghurs in China was largely restricted due to the household registration system (hukou) and the repercussions of the three-year “natural” disaster and the Cultural Revolution.