Swinging Between Separatism and Integrity? On the Political Status of Dungan Minority in the Light of the Xinjian Conflict

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the political status of the Dungan minority of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). In the view of the ongoing conflict between the Uyghur community of the Xinjiang from the one side and the central government of China from the other side, the Dungan people appear to be balancing between the separatist aspirations of the neighboring ethnic group and the intensive counterinsurgency policy of the state. The attitude of the Dungan people toward both the Chinese government and the Uyghur people is studied through the perceptions and reflections of the interviewed Dungan representatives on the economic and social status of the Dungan community in XUAR, the elements of collective memories and the impressions on the government's policy implemented in the region. The advantageous policy enforced by the Chinese state in regards to the Dungan minority contributes to the positive attitude of the latter toward the CCP; whereas the current anti-state actions of the Uyghur people are perceived by the Dungan representatives in a mostly negative way. The past hardships and grievances of the Dungan migrants seem to have little or no reflection in the perceptions of contemporary Dungans. Meanwhile, the common rebellious past of the Dungan and Uyghur peoples, although remembered, does not appear to be a part of the historical record worth of being mentioned by Dungan individuals. Consequently, this paper assumes that the Dungan community in Xinjiang is not likely to share the political position of the Uyghur people due to the favorable public image, social and cultural incentives, decent economic status and increased attention of the Chinese state toward the overseas Dungan diasporas. Meanwhile, the Chinese government appears to succeed in its "hearts and minds" strategy, due to which the insurgent Uyghur community remains delinked from and unsupported by the rest of the Xinjiang population, including the minority of Dungans.