China and Muslim Separatism: The Case of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region

Abstract

Today, confrontations and conflicts between different ethnic groups have become a major issue in many countries, which has been threatening the stability and unity of these countries. These issues have been highlighted in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, by the destabilization of these states through a process of bloody disintegration. In consequence, many ethnic groups in multinational countries demand self-determination or secession from the dominant states by using violent action, therefore, there are many small independent states, which have emerged suddenly around the world. Since ethnic issues can be used against a country's interests, the stability of a country to a great extent depends on the degree of the relationship among its different peoples. Among these issues, ethnic conflict is considered as one of the main sources of a series of localized, international confrontations. For this reason, the issue of ethnic conflict is likely to become a big concern for the state authorities and regional government.