Description
Book SynopsisDespite a decade of rapid economic development, China’s western borderlands have experienced a wave of ethnic unrest not seen since the 1950s. Through on-the-ground interviews and firsthand observations, this volume creates an invaluable record of the conflicts and protests as they have unfolded—the most extensive chronicle of events to date.
Trade ReviewEthnic unrest in Tibet and among the Uyghurs in Xinjiang is very much in the news and is a subject of great academic and public interest. It is hard to research because the Chinese government limits access to these areas. Nonetheless, these resourceful and courageous scholars have managed to access these regions, find out what is troubling the ethnic minority residents there, and assess how deep the trouble is. -- Andrew J. Nathan, coauthor of
China's Search for SecurityEthnic Conflict and Protest in Tibet and Xinjiang is a terrific book. Ten experts take a balanced and clear-eyed view of the conditions and politics behind the recent wave of ethnic unrest in China. It should be required reading for those who would understand the interlocking causes of conflict, including decision makers in Beijing. -- June Teufel Dreyer, author of
China's Political SystemThese studies of contemporary China's relations with the Tibetans and the Uyghurs offer insights on a wide variety of issues, including the Chinese state's policies toward Buddhism and Islam, the causes of conflicts between China and these so-called minority nationalities, the government's economic policies and the ensuing environmental effects, and the possible economic synergies between Chinese and Tibetan and Uyghur entrepreneurs. The authors differ in their opinions about the future, with some providing negative predictions while others are more optimistic, but each furnishes informed analyses. -- Morris Rossabi, author of
The Mongols and
The Mongols and Global HistoryThese essays provide detailed study of ethnopolitics in contemporary China based on solid fieldwork and scholarly analysis of regional peculiarities and standardizing policies. -- Tsering Shakya, coauthor of
The Struggle for TibetHighly recommended. * Choice *
A welcome contribution to the field and essential reading for specialists, policy makers, and graduate students interested in these important regions. * Journal of Asian Studies *
An excellent resource: the contributions are consistently strong and empirically rich, and examine a wide range of complementary features of society across the two autonomous regions. * International Affairs *
A short review cannot do justice to the subtlety of the arguments in this volume, which will be of interest to anyone seeking lucid, innovative explanations of politics, economy, and society in Xinjiang and Tibet. . . . This volume is a model for productive cross-regional scholarship and demonstrates the value of combining deep area knowledge with disciplinary rigor. * Pacific Affairs *
A useful and timely contribution to our understanding of these complex and important regions. -- Michael Dillon * Ethnic and Racial Studies *
This is an excellent and well researched book. -- Colin Mackerras, Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University Brisbane, Australia * Journal of Contemporary Asia *
This well presented and important collection of chapters explores aspects of the recent and continuing disturbances in Tibet and Xinjiang based upon research undertaken by academics at various stages in their careers. * Asian Affairs *
The body of research produced is undoubtedly of a very high standard, and makes a valuable contribution to the study of the ongoing conflicts in Xinjiang and Tibet. * Asian Review of Books *
An important and highly useful book. * BizIndia *
A much-needed contribution to the canon of literature on interethnic relations in China. * A much-needed contribution to the canon of literature on interethnic relations in China. *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Understanding the Current Wave of Conflict and Protest in Tibet and Xinjiang, by Ben Hillman
1. Unrest in Tibet and the Limits of Regional Autonomy, by Ben Hillman
2. Propaganda in the Public Square: Communicating State Directives on Religion and Ethnicity to Uyghurs and Tibetans in Western China, by Antonio Terrone
3. Discussing Rights and Human Rights in Tibet, by Françoise Robin
4. The Chinese Education System as a Source of Conflict in Tibetan Areas, by Clémence Henry
5. Lucrative Chaos: Interethnic Conflict as a Function of the Economic "Normalization" of Southern Xinjiang, by Thomas Cliff
6. Environmental Issues and Conflict in Tibet, by Yonten Nyima and Emily T. Yeh
7. Fringe Existence: Uyghur Entrepreneurs and Ethnic Relations in Urban Xinjiang, by Tyler Harlan
8. Prosperity, Identity, Intra-Tibetan Violence, and Harmony in Southeast Tibet: The Case of Gyalthang, by Eric Mortensen
9. Interethnic Conflict in the PRC: Xinjiang and Tibet as Exceptions?, by James Leibold
Contributors
Index
