Islam was introduced to China in the mid-seventh century, though Arab traders established trade link with China long before. During the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (The third Caliph) a delegation was sent to China in the year 651 AD, eighteen years after the death of Prophet Muhammad. This official Muslim deputation was led by Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas, Prophet Muhammad's maternal uncle. He invited the Chinese Emperor of that time Yong-Hui to accept Islam.
The history of Tang Dynasty recorded that Emperor Yong-Hui expressed his respect in teaching of Islam but found too restrictive for his taste. He allowed Sa'ad to propagate Islam freely in China and ordered the establishment of China’s first mosque at Ch’ang-an, that still stands in Canton City after more than thirteen hundred years.
Prophet Muhammad considered China as a model of knowledge and civilization. Chinese Muslims take great pride in citing a Hadith (sayings of Muhammad) that enshrined— “Seek knowledge even if it is in China.”
Since the visit of first Muslim missionaries to China the historical Chinese records described that, during the period 651 to 798, 39 Arabian envoys visited China, and more and more Arabian and Persian traders came to China to transact business and also to preach Islam. The frequent friendly exchanges between the governments and the frequent commercial intercourse, on the one hand promoted the existing traditional friendship between China and the Arab world, and on the other, provided good conditions for Islam to spread within China.
The routes to China for the envoys, businessmen and missionories from Arabia and Persia were as follows: the land route began in Persia, traversed China's Xinjiang region, and along the ancient silk road, finally terminated in the inland cities of China, such as Xi'an and Luoyang. The sea route started at the Persian Gulf, passed the Malay Peninsula, and finally arrived at the trading ports along the south coast of China. Chinese historical records also have accounts of how Arabian and Persian traders carried on business and lived in Chang'an (the capital) and various places along the Chinese coast.
During the Tang and Song dynasties, these traders were allowed to live in such places as Guangzhou, Yangzhou, Quanzhou, Hangzhou, Chang'an, Kaifeng and Luoyang. They led peaceful lives in these places, following their own beliefs and customs. They lived in China for so long that they did not want to return home. Thus, they built mosques and tombs in these cities, married local residents and raised children; their children became the early Chinese Muslims. While sticking to their Islamic faith, and trying to avoid conflicts with Chinese traditional culture and other religions in China, they lived in compact communities. They did not preach Islam to the outside community, but on the contrary, tried to adapt to Chinese economic and cultural conditions. As a result, they led peaceful and happy lives. They brought advanced Chinese scientific technologies represented by the Four Great Inventions to Arabia and the Western world, becoming scientific and cultural envoys of the Middle Ages.
The Yuan and Ming dynasties were important periods for the spread and development of Islam in China. The powerful Mongols conquered the Islamic countries and nations in central and western Asia, destroying the Abbasid Dynasty of the Arabian Empire in 1258. They inducted Arabian and Persian prisoners of war into their armies when they attacked and unified China. Among the inductees were carpenters, religious scholars and nobles, numbering tens of thousands. In the historical records, they are described as people who could fight bravely if they had horses to ride, while working as shepherds when there was no fighting.
After the Mongolian troops were victorious, they set up the powerful Yuan Dynasty in China. This ushered in a new era, in which politics and economy saw great developments. At that time, transportation between China and the Western world was so convenient that their trade exchanges were very frequent, and diplomatic relations were also friendly. All these conditions created a fertile ground for Islam to spread to the east. In the Yuan Dynasty, a huge number of Muslim traders from Central Asia came to China. In the Samarkand Legend of the History of the Ming Dynasty, it says that Muslims were scattered all over China. Today, in Beijing, Xi'an and in the main cities along the southeast coast and along the Grand Canal, some old mosques and tombs of ancient Muslims are still well preserved. Influenced by economy, politics and intermarriage, lots of people of the Mongolian, Han and Uygur nationalities were converted to Islam in the Yuan Dynasty. These people were called Hui. Historical materials prove that in the Yuan Dynasty, Islam had developed on a relatively large scale, and Islam with Chinese characteristics was also formed at that time. Muslim communities centered on mosques, which began to appear in cities and villages.
From the end of the Yuan Dynasty to the early part of the Ming Dynasty, the Hui nationality emerged. From the end of the Ming Dynasty to the early part of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese Islam further developed. Besides the Hui nationality, several other minority groups also accepted Islam as their religion. As members of Chinese society, Muslims, represented by the Hui nationality, played important roles in various aspects of social life. In order to spread and develop Islam and Islamic culture, the early Chinese Muslims attached importance to the development of Islamic education. Islamic Mosque Education, first advocated by Iman Hu Dengzhou of Shanxi province, gradually influenced the lives of Muslims in the areas of central and Northwest China. This kind of education helped to promote Islamic culture widely. The translation of Islamic scriptures into Chinese which appeared at the same time as mosque education initiated and laid a foundation for the development of Chinese Islamic academic culture. Many Muslim scholars of the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as Wang Daiyu (1560-1660), Ma Zhu (1640-1711), Liu Zhi (1655-1745), Jin Tianzhu ( 1736-1795) and Ma Fuchu ( 1794-1847) were renowned as scholars who not only had a good knowledge of the four religions (Islam, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism), but also were proficient in two languages— Chinese and Arabic. They used Confucianism to expound the Islamic scriptures, and wrote and translated numerous works. They employed ancient Chinese philoso-phical concepts to explain the principles of Islam, promoting Islamic development with Chinese characteristics. Thus, the Chinese Islamic philosophical system gradually came into being.
A good number of Chinese Muslims joined Communist Party during the early period of revolutionary struggle for a socialist and new democratic China. After the founding of New China in 1949, the Islamic faith of the Chinese Muslim were fully respected and protected by the government.
In 1953, the Islamic Association of China was founded and now is run by 16 Islamic religious leaders. It is aimed at helping the spread of Islamic teachings in China. Also, many nationwide Islamic associations have been organized to co-ordinate inter-ethnic activities among Muslims.2
I visited China first time in August 1987 with a team of writers and journalists to see the changes in post Mao-era. During that tour we visited Xi'an, an ancient city dominated by Muslim population. We noticed a kind of bewilderness among the Chinese Muslims. They were taken aback with religious freedom that was achieved after several years. During the cultural Revolution people belonging to all faiths including Muslims became victim of repression and humiliation. Most of the mosques were closed down and Imams were sent to factories or to rural areas for cultivation. After the death of Chairman Mao the new government liberalized its policy toward Islam and other faiths. When religious freedom was declared in 1978 the Chinese Muslims did not waste time in expressing their conviction.
While studying the global rise of Islamic fundamentalism that has taken place after the collapse of socialist governments in Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, I noticed some signs of Taliban tentacle in China's western territory, that is Xinjiang, an autonomous region of Uygur Muslims.
My intention to visit China once again was communicated to ‘Chinese Association for International Understanding' (CAFIU) through Engineer F. R. Siddiqui, President of BCCEMCC. As my first visit to China was hosted by CAFIU this time also they arranged a tour exclusively for me to let me know more about the condition of Muslims in China vis-a-vis rise of Islamic fundamentalism.
I went to China second time during the second half of October 2003, visited two autonomous regions of Chinese Muslims, that is Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Apart from majority Han population (91.9%), there are 55 ethnic minorities in China belonging to different faiths and identity. Out of 55 Islam has a following among 10 ethnic groups, that is Hui, Uygur, Kazak, Tatar, Kirghiz Tajik, Ozbek, Dongxiang, Salar and Banan. Current Muslim population in China is more than 20 million.
In comparison with my first tour in China the second one was very brief. Within twelve days I had to visit Xinjiang, though a province of China but area wise far larger than Bangladesh, (1.6649 million square kilometers). In addition I also visited Ningxia, not so large (66,400 square kilometers) but so great wonder was waiting for me that those twelve days passed with incredible speed.
During my tour in Xinjiang and Ningxia, I visited more than two dozen cities, towns, counties, historical spots and also a few places of natural scenic beauty. I met crosssection of people, that included high level government officials, academicians, Islamic scholars, Imams of different mosques, Muslim youths and common people.
It is quite difficult to get a correct impression about ground reality and more speci-fically to study people's mind, if some one doesn't know the language and is traveling by a guided tour. But I was fortunate enough for my warm cordial relation with CAFIU as well as a Muslim identity with my name. Generally Chinese people are suspicious about foreigners and for this attitude nobody can blame them. Foreign invasion, interference and conspiracy caused huge suffering for Chinese people as well as in other third world countries.
Before visiting Xinjiang I came across lot of propaganda about gross violation of human rights and repression on Uygur Muslims by the Chinese authorities. Huge number of reports and articles were published in the western media which described that Uygur Muslims are not allowed to practise religion. I visited a number of mosques, Madrasa and Islamic Institutes in Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar. During the prayer times I have seen Muslims of different age groups attending Namaj, nobody prevented them going to the mosque.
I observed life style of Uygur Muslims which is quite different from majority Hui Muslims of China. Uygurs are mainly concentrated in Xinjiang. Most of the billboards in the streets of Urumqi and other places are written in Uygur language and the script is Arabic, along with Chinese writings. Their dress and behaviour is quite different though physical appearance is Mongolite like all other Chinese. In Xinjiang Chinese Han population is next to Uygurs. I asked my interpreter Wujinying, a young beautiful lady from Han community, how one can differentiate between Han and Uygurs by appearance. She replied with a smile, Uygurs are more handsome than the Hans. Then I observed more closely and found Uygur feature is more sharp than Han. I have seen women wearing head scarf and men with cap mostly in rural areas, of course for Madrasa students it is compulsory. I have visited couple of Madrasas, in some places boys and girls are attending same classes studying Koran, Hadith and Islamic jurisprudence. Muslim Madrasa students in China also study other humanities and science subjects including computer.
Religious organizations in China run their own affairs independently, set up religious schools, publish religious classics and periodicals and run social service according to their own needs. As in many other countries, China practices the principle of separating religion from education; religion is not a subject taught in schools of general education in China, although some institutions of higher learning and research institutes do teach or conduct research into religion. The various religious schools and institutes set up by the different religious organizations teach religious knowledge in line with their own needs.
In Beijing I had a long discussion with the leaders of All China Islamic Association. General Secretary Chang Ching Liang (Borhanuddin) informed me that, since they are enjoying freedom of religion every year 5000 Muslim pilgrims visit Mecca to perform Haj. This year (2003) they are expecting 10,000 pilgrims to visit Mecca. He claimed the Muslim population is increasing gradually. At present the number is 21 million, 9 million Uygur and 8 million Hui.
To control the population growth China is practicing family planning very strictly. Though average birth rate is less than one percent Muslim birth rate is much higher. In order to control population growth China adopted one family one child policy in general but taking advantage of 'religions freedom' Chinese Muslims never accepted this policy. Muslims and other ethnic minorities can have more than one child that may go up to three. But mainly because of economic reasons urban Muslims prefer to have one child.
Different ethnic minorities in China are enjoying more privileges in comparion with other third world countries. Even in higher education and government services ethnic people enjoy more opportunities. In most of the third world countries repression on ethnic minorities became a routine matter, even in countries like USA, Canada and Australia different ethnic groups and aborigines are disappearing gradually. But in China ethnic population including Muslims are increasing. In Urumqi one Director of the main Mosque claimed that recently Chinese authority traced out one small ethnic group in a remote mountain area known as 'Campa', which is not mentioned in the govt. record.
The leaders of Islamic Institute informed me that only in Xinjiang the number of Mosque is nearly 23,000 and number of Imam and Molla is 27,000. In China total number of Mosque is 40,000 and number of Imam and his associate is more than 50,000.
Generally government doesn't take responsibility for the construction of any new Mosque, Church or Temple but old places of worships which have historical importance are taken care of by the proper authorities. Lowest salary of a Imam is 500 yuan ($ 52) and the highest is 1000. There are 70 Islamic organizations in Xinjiang.
Koran, the holy book of Muslims have been translated into five languages of China i.e. Uygur, Mandarin, Kazakh, Manchurian and Chinese. Hadith and history of Islam have been published in Uygur and Mandarin languages. Chinese Islamic Institute is publishing bi-monthly 'China Muslim' on a regular basis. 'China Islamic Encyclopedia' was published by this Institute in 1994. There are a good number of books on Sufism written in Chinese and Uygur language. China Islamic Institute was founded in 1955. At present there are 10 Islamic Institutes to provide Islamic education at university level in China. Number of Islamic Association is 430.
For advanced Islamic study Chinese students often go to Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arab and Pakistan.
3
During the tour I requested my host to arrange a visit for me to some Muslim families of different income groups. Due to shortage of time I could visit only two families, one in Beijing, the other in Kashgar.
Kashgar was the most interesting place that I visited during my second tour in China. A city which is quite different from other places of China attracted tourist and historians for ages. My local interpreter Ibrahim briefed me about this mysterious city whenever he got a chance.
First I came to know about Kashgar through internet. I was searching for Sunday Markets and I found that the world's largest and oldest 'Sunday Market' is in Kashgar. For more than thousand years more than hundred thousand people from different places of Central Asia visit Kashgar on every Sunday.
Kashgar is not big in size, but well known in the world. Many scholars and writers, Chinese or foreign, keep on looking at Kashgar and write so much about it in the fields of history, sociology, literature, while more and more people would like to be here to have a look at it with their own eyes, to experience it and to feel what it is life. Then they would believe the old saying: it cannot be said that one is in Xinjian without visiting Kashgar.
Why Kashgar is so attractive lies in its long history and unique position in history. For ages Kashgar has been known for strong and special ethnic folk customs, and its vast and fantastic landscape. The present Kashgar is where the ancient kingdom Shule was.
It was in this land that Banchao, a scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty, giving up his intellectual pursuit for a military career, showed his great talents and won respect of the locals of that period. In the Tang Dynasty, Shule was one of the four Anxi strategic places. And in the 11th century, two great works, “The Great Dictionary of the Turkic Language” and “Happiness and Wisdom” came out, which and whose authors were closely linked with Kashgar. The ancient Kashgar was known as a “bright pearl” on the Silk Road. Kashgar lies in the joint-place of the Southern and Northern Routes of the great Channel and naturally, it was an important juncture for the political, economic and cultural exchanges between ancient China and the west at that time. Its history offered much heritage as well as so many cultural relics and ancient sites for the city and the land where it is.
The modern Kashgar takes on a new look every day with its flourishing economy and changing colouful cultures. Kashgar Prefecture has 1 city and 11 counties under it, where many nationalities live. The statistics of 1999 show that the population of the Prefecture in that year was 334.15 million, of which 299.75 million were of minority nationalities. The city population of the year was 31.89, of which 22.8 were minority nationalities. The Uygur community is the largest in population of the area. To those who want to learn about the Uygur people, Kashgar is the most ideal place.
In this vast land there are sites of ancient fortresses, rock caves, Buddhist pagodas, mosques, and tombs everywhere. The best known of them are: Id Kah Mosque, Apakhoja Tomb Compound, Yusup-Has Hajip Tomb, Mahmud Kashgaria Tomb, the Mor Buddhist Pagoda, Sanxiandong Cave (three Immortal Buddhist Cave), the Stone City Ruins, which are a must for all tourists.
Uygurs and Tajiks live respec-tively in Kashgar Oasis and on the Pamirs. Intelligent and good-looking, hospitable and kind, they have built where they live prosperous homeland. When tourists come to their homeland, they would offer the best they have to entertain them, such as joyful music, graceful dancing, special customs, fine handicrafts, and varieties of local food. In a word, tourists enjoy their unique and strong ethnic customs. I have tasted horsemeat and wine made from camel milks in Kashgar at a Muslim Kazakh Restaurant.
In Kashgar I have visited Id Kah Mosque, the largest and most famous Mosque in Xinjiang located in the heart of the city. The Mosque started to be built in the mid-fifteenth century, and has gradually developed to the present size. Id Kah Mosque, with about 16800 square meters in area, consists of the Prayer Hall, the Koran Teaching Hall, the Corridor, the Arches and other buildings attached to it. The Prayer Hall of the Mosque can hold 4000 prayers. And the Arches are about 12 meters high with two l8-meter high minarets on both sides. The minarets are colorfully decorated with pretty patterns. The buildings of Id Kah Mosque look magnificent and solemn, and display the artistic styles of Central Asian Islamic mosque architecture. The Mosque is a State Protected Cultural Relic.
Another interesting place that I visited in Kashgar is Apakhoja Tomb, which has a local name: the Tomb of Xiangfei (the Fragrant Concubine). In fact, Xiangfei (Fragrant Concubine of Qianlong Emperor or the Rong Concubine) was not buried here. This large tomb compound is situated in the Hokhan Village, five kilometers to the north of the City of Kashgar. It used to be the Mausoleum of the Apakkhoja family, of which Mohammed Yusupkhoja was leader of the Aktaglike Sect of Muslims of South Xinjiang in the 17th century. The Tomb Compound was first built in 1640, later it was built into a large Mausoleum. The Compound consists of the Main Burial Chamber, the Koran Reading Room, the Grand Mosque and smaller mosques, and the Grand Arches. The Chamber has a big dome on its top and is 26 meters high. The walls are covered with green glazed tiles. The whole architecture, magnificent and imposing with unique style, is a State Protected Cultural Relic.
The Tomb of Yusup Hos Hajip is situated on the campus of No. 12 Primary School of Kashgar City. The present building was rebuilt in 1987. Yusup Has Hajip was a famous poet of Karakhan Kingdom, and in 1069 he completed his great work “Happiness and Wisdom” in the ancient Uygur language. The tomb-layout is special with imposing buildings and simple and unsophisticated decorations.
Mahmud Kashgaria Tomb is situated on a hill-slope of Wupar, a small town 45 kilometers to the south-west of the City. Mahmud Kashgaria, who completed his great work “The Great Dictionary of Turkic Language” in 1075, died in 1105 and was buried here. This solemn and magnificent tomb was rebuilt and redecorated in 1985. “The Great Dictionary of Turkic Language” has been translated into many languages. In the north to the Tomb there is the Collection Room in which many items about the scholar are displayed.
As I requested earlier my host arranged a meeting with one rich Muslim family of Kashgar. Since it was the month of Ramadhan, I was invited to home Iftar and dinner at cloth-marchent Abdulla Azim's home.
Business, the Uygar call 'Tezarat', is the family profession of Azim. A middle aged fair looking man with trimmed beard received me at the main entrance of his old looking two storied residence. Most of the old constructions are with wood and clay. From outside it looks quite simple and ordinary but the interior decoration is full of splendour. Wooden floor is covered with wall to wall woolen carpet with floral design, lot of the colorful cushions of different sizes are displayed closed to walls, at the centers big size low center table full of colorful bowls with fruits and sweets is a common feature of rich Uygur's drawing room.
Abdulla Azim is a father of six children (four daughters and two sons) named Yousuf, Ali, Hazra, Fatima, Mariam and Aeysha. Most Chinese Muslims have two names, one is Arabic and other is Chinese. Azim proudly said all his children practice religion, offer Namaz five times a day and follow other rituals.
I found Uygurs are more conservative than Hui Muslims. When I went to visit a middle class Hui family in Beijing both male and female members of the family came to greet me. I have not seen the female members of Azim's family but one of his daughters in-law came to serve tea.
Azim's show room and business office is in central Bazar of Kashgar. For business connection he often visits Pakistan and India. Pakistan border is nearly 500 kilometers from Kashgar. I have seen huge number of Pakistani traders in Kashgar Bazar selling garments, blankets and household utensils made of metal. Fruits are very cheap in Kashgar. Bazar is full of apricot, mulberry, peach, pear, pomegranate strawberry, grapes and melon. A full glass of fresh pomegranate juice cost me only three yuan (less than Tk. 20). One Kg. of Raisin is less than Tk. 100.4
Economic development and affluence is more visible in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in comparison with Xinjiang. So far as natural resources are concerned Xinjiang is quite rich with oil, gas and minerals. When I mentioned about economic backwardness of Xinjiang the Government officials said that it was due to recent terrorist activities of a few Islamic militant groups investors are not interested about Xinjiang.
Guo Cheng Jhen, one of the high officials of State Administration for Religions Affairs in Beijing briefed me on Islamic militant activities in Xinjiang that started after the collapse of Soviet camp in the beginning of nineties. These Islamic Militants want to separate Xinjiang from China in order to establish an independent state named 'East Turkistan', based on religion. Though these Militants are using Islam to perpetrate terror their main target is Imams and religious leaders of Xinjiang who preach tolerance, peace and harmony among the people. They killed one chairman of Islamic Conference, injured one vice-chairman and Imam Hamir very recently.
Mr. Jhen said, Chinese government is also careful to safeguard Muslims' religious sentiment. Recently ten editors of different news papers were dismissed from their service for anti-Muslim writings. The concerned authorities also banned some books for hate propaganda against the Muslims.
In January (2004), the Information Office of the State Council published an article entitled “'East Turkistan' Terrorist Forces Cannot Get Away With Impunity”, explaining the origin of the “East Turkistan” issue and exposing the terrorist activities conducted by the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces inside and outside Chinese territory with detailed historical materials and plenty of evidence. It reiterates the Chinese Government's stand against terrorism and calls on all peace-loving people throughout the world to he alert regarding the nature of the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces and plead for resisting their terrorist activities.
Terrorism is a big public hazard in the world today, posing an enormous threat to the peace, security and order of the international society. Over a long period of time, especially since the 1990s, the “East Turkistan” forces inside and outside Chinese territory have planned and organized a series of violent incidents in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and related countries, including explosions, assassinations, arsons, poisonings and assaults, with the objective of founding a so-called state of “East Turkistan”. These terrorist incidents have seriously jeopardized the lives and property of people of all nationalities, as well as social stability in China, and even threatened the security and stability of related countries and regions. In the 1990s, under the influence of extremism, separatism and international terrorism, part of the “East Turkistan” forces inside and outside Chinese territory turned to splittist and sabotage activities with terrorist violence as the main means. Some “East Turkistan” organizations brazenly declared that terrorist violence is the only way to achieve their aims. The programs of the “East Turkistan Islamic Party” and of the “East Turkistan Opposition Party” seized by the police clearly point out that they will “take the road of armed struggle” and “conduct various terrorist activities in densely populated regions”. In the booklet ‘What Is the Hope for Our Independence’ compiled by them, they openly declared that they would create a terrorist atmosphere at kindergartens, hospitals and schools at any cost.
Available statistics show that from 1990 to 2001, the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces inside and outside Chinese territory were responsible for over 200 terrorist incidents in Xinjiang, resulting in the deaths of 162 people of all nationalities, including grass-roots officials and religious personnel, and caused injuries to more than 440 people. In recent years, the “East Turkistan” terrorist organization has directed explosions at innocent people at department stores, markets, hotels, venues for cultural activities and other densely populated areas in Xinjiang.
To sabotage national unity and create an atmosphere of terror, the terrorists have targeted their attacks not only at the Han people, but also at the officials, citizens and patriotic religious personages of the Uygur ethnic group, killing them as “pagans”. The “East Turkistan” terrorists also furiously attacked police and government institutions, and committed crimes of poison and arson in some cities. In order to train hardcore members and enlarge their organization, the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces secretly established training bases in Xinjiang, mostly in remote parts of the region. The content of training mainly included the theory of religious extremism and terrorism, explosion, assassination and other terrorist skills, and physical strength. Some of the training bases were also workshops for making weapons, ammunition and explosive devices. The “East Turkistan” terrorist forces have not only plotted and organized disturbances and riots by engaging in terrorist acts of beating, smashing, looting, arson and murder, which seriously endangered social stability, people's lives and property, but also have been involved in violent incidents beyond the borders.
They opened fire at or launched bomb attacks against Chinese embassies and consulates in related countries and killed Chinese business people, government employees and foreign policemen.
There is plenty of evidence to show that most of the terrorist and other violent incidents that occurred in Xinjiang had been directly plotted and engineered by the “East Turkistan” organization beyond China's borders, with the collusion of a handful of people within the border. The “East Turkistan” terrorists are closely connected with international terrorist forces. The “East Turkistan” terrorist organization based in South Asia has the unstinting support of Osama bin Laden, and is an important part of his terrorist forces. Bin Laden has schemed with the heads of the Central and West Asian terrorist organizations many times to help the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces in Xinjiang to launch a “holy war”, with the aim of setting up a theocratic “Islamic State” in Xinjiang. The terrorist forces led by Bin Laden have given much financial and material aid to the “East Turkistan” terrorists. Bin Laden's group has also directly trained personnel for the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces. After the training, some of the key “East Turkistan” members were secretly sent back to China to set up terrorist organizations, and planned and carried out terrorist activities. Some joined the Taliban armed forces in Afghanistan, some joined the Chechen terrorists in Russia and some took part in terrorist activities in Central Asia.
Most of the explosions, assassinations and other terrorist incidents that have taken place in Xinjiang in recent years are related to these organizations. So far, the Chinese police have arrested over 100 terrorists who had sneaked into Xinjiang after being trained in terrorist training bases in Afghanistan and other countries. The police of related countries have also extradited or transferred to China a dozen or so “East Turkistan” terrorists they had captured. As the appeal for international cooperation in curbing terrorism is becoming increasingly stronger following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the “East Turkistan” forces that bear evident marks of terrorism have found them in an extremely embarrassing situation.
While they are distressed by the destruction of the bin Laden terrorist forces and Taliban terrorist training bases by US missiles, they cannot but “take the initiative” to express their support for the US military retaliation, attempting to distance themselves from the bin Laden terrorist forces.
The terrorist organizations in South Asia lost no time in conducting a secret strategic shift, evacuating their members in Afghanistan to the surrounding South and Central Asian and Middle East regions to preserve and consolidate their strength. Meanwhile, the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces have employed the tactic of mounting attacks as a means of defence. Once again, under the banner of protecting “human rights”, “religious freedom” and “the interests of ethnic minorities”, they claim that the Chinese Government “has taken the opportunity to crack down on ethnic minorities”, in an attempt to mislead the public and deceive international opinion, and thus dodge the international crackdown on terrorism.
Recently Chinese Government unveiled Uygur Islamic Militant's link with Al-Queda. This was the first time the country has issued a list of terrorist organizations and terrorists.
Quoting a Government source the 'China Daily' published a report on 16 December 2003.
“The list was determined after careful and discreet identification and examination in accordance with relevant anti-terrorism resolutions by the United Nations, the Criminal Law, the State Security Law and other laws and regulations,” said Zhao Yongchen, deputy director of the Anti-terrorism Department under the Ministry of Public Security.
Calling for tighter international co-operation in the fight against terrorism, Zhao said: “I strongly call on governments of all foreign countries, the law-enforcement organs in particular, to outlaw the four terrorist organizations that China has announced to the public, prohibit their activities, stop supporting, financing or providing safe havens to the organizations, and freeze their assets.”
The organizations are the ‘Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement’, the ‘Eastern Turkistan Liberation Organization’, the ‘World Uygur Youth Congress’ and the ‘East Turkistan Information Centre’.
He also called on overseas governments to carry out criminal investigations of the 11 terrorists, apprehend them and hand them over to China.
Since the September 11 incident, China has amended various counter-terrorism laws, developed and improved counter-terrorism co-ordination mechanisms, and adopted a series of measures to prevent acts of terror. The measures include strengthening control of hazardous substances like explosives, tightening border controls, intensifying security measures at airports, ports and major infrastructures.
“We wish to carry out more co-operations in the future with neighbouring countries and countries where the Eastern Turkistan terrorist organizations go rampant,” said Zhao.
He said the government would fight “East Turkistan” terrorism while effectively safeguarding the fundamental interests of people in Xinjiang and other parts of China.
Zhao stressed the government would target only core members of the terrorist groups who organized, led and participated in terrorist activities and those involved in serious violence.
The four terrorist organizations in the list were all confirmed to have plotted, organized and executed bombings, assassinations, arsons, poison attacks and other violent terrorist activities in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the rest of China and neighbouring countries since the 1990s. The Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, for instance, was responsible for killings in December 1999 in Moyu County of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang. It is also accused of committing a robbery and murder case in Urumqi on February 4 the same year, and other acts of terror. In total, the group has killed six innocent people and caused heavy property losses.
Having been identified by the UN as a terrorist organization, it was funded mainly by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and received training, support and personnel from both the al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime of Afghanistan.
The Eastern Turki-stan Liberation Organi-zation also received gift money from al-Qaeda and sent its new recruits, all youths from Xinjiang, to training camps in Afghanistan under Taliban support.5
While discussing rise of Islamic Militancy in most of the Asian countries with my counterparts Chinese friends expressed their deep concern. We agreed to form a coalition of the civil societies of these countries to address fundamentalism and terrorism in the name of religion and for protection of rights of the ethnic minorities.
Fundamentalism dubbed with terrorism has become a threat not only for socio-economic development and integrity of a country but also has appeared as a great threat for world peace and human civilization. We have seen the destruction of Buddhist Statues and other images of great historical importance in Taliban ruled Afghanistan that perpetrated in the name of Islam. We have seen killings of hundreds thousands of innocent people throughout the world in the name of religion. If we fail to resist these evil forces this planet is going to face a great human disaster indeed.