China, Terrorism and the SCO

08 Jul, 2002    ·   780

Raviprasad Narayanan looks at China’s policy in dealing with terrorism inside its borders
Raviprasad Narayanan
Coinciding with Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai’s visit to Beijing , the Information Office of the State Council released a report in Beijing documenting the activities of the “ East Turkistan ” forces, which assesses the nature and issue of terrorism as evidenced by the incidents in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the past decade. The release of the report and its timing underlies the determination of the Chinese government to curb terrorist networks involved in violent acts in Xinjiang.

 

 

The report comprises four sections. The first mentions the formation of an “East Turkistan Islamic State” in 1933 that “thanks to the opposition of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, collapsed within three months.”

 

 

The second section is divided into six sub-sections that details explosions, assassinations, attacks on police and government institutions, crimes of poisoning and arson, establishing of secret training bases, raising money to buy and manufacture arms and ammunition and organising disturbances and riots, creating an atmosphere of instability. The evidence of explosions and assassinations indicates the gravity of the situation as even the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) members from Xinjiang were targeted by the “ East Turkistan ” terrorists. The various groups involved in these atrocities were: “East Turkistan Islamic Party,” “East Turkistan Opposition Party,” “East Turkistan Liberation Organisation,” “Shock Brigade of the Islamic Reformist Party,” “East Turkistan Islamic party of Allah,” “Uyghur Liberation Organisation” and the “East Turkistan Islamic Movement.”

 

 

The discovery of arms and ammunition, training camps and subversive literature points to the existence of a network of terrorists who advertise their cause by armed struggle, and conduct terrorist activities in densely populated areas. The report mentions the existence of a booklet titled, “What Is the Hope for Our Independence?” in which the terrorists declared that “they will create a terrorist atmosphere at kindergartens, hospitals and schools at any cost.”

 

 

The third section establishes the nexus of the “ East Turkistan ” terrorists with Osama bin Laden and the rapport they enjoyed with the “Uzbekistan Islamic Liberation Movement.” South Asia is mentioned in the following statement: “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 accumulate their strength. Meanwhile the “ East Turkistan ” terrorist forces have employed the tactic of mounting attacks as a means of defence.”

 

 

The last section states that, “In order to protect the lives and property and common interests of the people of various ethnic groups, maintain the stability of China’s Xinjiang and the surrounding regions, safeguard national unity, social stability, and the smooth progress of the modernization drive, the Chinese government has resolutely cracked down on the violent activities of the “East Turkistan” terrorist.” This section emphasizes that the government’s crackdown is not against any particular ethnic group, but against a few core members and criminals who have participated in violent terrorist incidents.

 

 

Of interest to analysts is the acknowledgement that China faces terrorism within its territory and that its government is cracking down on organizations responsible for these dastardly acts and not by associating their ethnic origins with such acts of terror. The events after September 11 last year may have played a vital role leading in this publication of the report. On the other hand there are accusations that China has not been vocal in the fight against global terrorism. While the initial statements by the Foreign Ministry condemned these acts and the tragic loss of life, the Chinese position is being articulated by a “regional consensus mechanism” as evident from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that came into existence last June and comprises Russia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Uzbekistan and China . Earlier this year the SCO Foreign Ministers had a one-day meeting in Beijing where they reached a consensus on important issues like regional security and cooperation, and development of the organization.

 

 

The joint statement issued after of the SCO meeting stated that its members will maximize their efforts to rid terrorist threats in the territories of the six nations, and call on the international community to give them support. The statement says the SCO members believe terrorism is not confined to specific ethnic groups and religions and that the fight against terrorism should be separated from opposition to any religion, freedom of worship or country and nationality. The statement added that the anti-terrorism campaign should be carried out at all levels worldwide, regionally and nationally, and should not have double standards. The SCO members agreed that the United Nations and its Security Council should play a leading role in the anti-terrorism campaign, all actions should conform to the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, and other principles of acknowledged international laws. The scope of the actions should not be expanded arbitrarily, and the actions should not interfere in the internal affairs of any nation, and should help safeguard the long-term interest of regional and world peace.

 

 

The release of the report, by itself a surprise to many, highlights the importance of Xinjiang. In the coming decade, Xinjiang will emerge as the hub of China ’s energy needs: a crucial component given the rapid expansion of the Chinese economy and its need for cheaper energy resources from abroad. 

 

 

 

POPULAR COMMENTARIES