Chinese Assimilationist Policies in Xinjiang: From Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping

AuthorMahesh Ranjan Debata
DOIhttp://doi.org/10.1177/00208817221091442
Published date01 July 2022
Date01 July 2022
Subject MatterResearch Articles
https://doi.org/10.1177/00208817221091442
International Studies
59(3) 199 –211, 2022
© 2022 Jawaharlal Nehru University
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DOI: 10.1177/00208817221091442
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Research Article
Chinese Assimilationist
Policies in Xinjiang:
From Mao Zedong to
Xi Jinping
Mahesh Ranjan Debata1
Abstract
This research article argues that the China’s intention and contention to maintain
stronghold in Xinjiang through different policies from time to time reflects the
views of Realist theory of international relations, which gives primacy to ‘national
interest’ and ‘national security.’ Furthermore, the article argues that the Chinese
emphasis on national security and stability in Xinjiang negates the ‘interests and
aspirations’ of minority groups in Xinjiang (especially Uyghurs), which form
the basis of constructive approach of international relations. While elaborating
Chinese policies of assimilation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang from Mao Zedong to
Xi Jinping, this article tries to examine how China’s bid to pursuing a kind of
hardcore realism in preserving and protecting its interests in Xinjiang (stringent
policies) has been contradicting and disregarding the essence of constructivist
perspective (aims, and aspirations interests of Uyghurs).
Keywords
Assimilationist, BRI, China, Deng Xiaoping, Mao Zedong, Uyghur
Introduction
Since the establishment of China as a communist republic in 1949, the country’s
leadership has been vindicating its position on and policy in Xinjiang
notwithstanding the concerns of the international community about the Uyghurs,
the majority ethnic group in Xinjiang. For China, Xinjiang is its inalienable part,
and one of her core national interests (Tibet and Taiwan are the others). Xinjiang’s
1 Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New
Delhi, Delhi, India
Corresponding author:
Mahesh Ranjan Debata, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal
Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi 110067, India.
E-mail: maxeew@gmail.com; mdebata@mail.jnu.ac.in

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