China's Persecution of Uighur Muslims: How COVID Has Inflamed the Crisis
By: Julianna Rossi
Is it repression or is it being 'woke'? The Chinese government seems to be following the playbook used by American liberals. Or have American liberals only been influenced to adopt Chinese methods?
American liberals have also used the COVID pandemic to impose repressive measures on the American heartland. American liberals are censoring free speech, curtailing religious practices, denouncing resistance to attacks on traditional culture as a threat to society, and are restricting free movement and participation in society. American liberals have used our own homes as detention centers.
Is there any doubt that Xi Jinping would welcome Joe Biden becoming President? Both promote the same goals, advocate the same methods, and speak the same political language.
While the world watched Wuhan, China at the beginning of the COVID crisis early this year, another crisis was unfolding across the country in the Xinjiang region. The eleven million members of the Uighur Muslim ethnic group have faced forced detention, surveillance, and repression under the Chinese government for years—and the COVID pandemic has proved a new means for the government to increase its brutality.
Since 2017, anywhere from 800,000 to 2 million Uighurs and other Muslims have been detained by the Chinese government. According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and the Council on Foreign Relations, there are at least twenty-seven confirmed "re-education" camps across the region. However, there are believed to be as many as 1,200 camps, with a boom in construction in 2017 and 2018.
Forced detention, usually with no real charges filed, is not the only form of repression Uighur Muslims face in Xinjiang. The People's Republic of China's Cybersecurity Law, passed in 2009, is one of many methods used to constantly repress Uighurs. The law followed a series of riots in the region in 2009 and allows the government to completely shut down internet access in the event of "public security" incidents, an intentionally vague term.
A massive surveillance system has grown up in the Xinjiang region, along with a series of propaganda campaigns. Smartphones in the region have been tapped dating back to 2013, with bugs embedded in special keyboards used by Uighurs and common apps with news or beauty tips. These bugs allowed access to conversations, photos, and microphones, providing the Chinese government with access to a wealth of information on the Uighur population. Combined with the Chinese government's forcible collection of blood samples, fingerprints, and development of facial recognition software for the region, there is almost no way to avoid surveillance in Xinjiang. In one Xinjiang city, there is a police checkpoint every hundred yards, accompanied by facial recognition cameras.
More draconian measures are also not an uncommon feature of life in Xinjiang. It's estimated that up to one million Uighurs could currently be held in China's so-called re-education camps. The Chinese government passes the camps off as vocational training centers. The reality, however, is that detainees are forced to renounce their faith, learn Mandarin, and carry out unpaid labor for the government. These camps would more aptly be called prisons, with surveillance watching and listening to detainees 24/7. Sexual assault is common. The qualifications set for being sent to one of these camps is minimal and often arbitrary. In 2017, a database containing biological data collected by the Chinese government through a required app used artificial intelligence to create lists of "suspicious people." Within the week, fifteen thousand Uighurs were then sent to the camps based on this algorithm.
Other measures in the region include forced sterilization, with women required to get IUDs, abortions, and even full sterilization without consent. In fact, having too many children can cause a parent to be sent to the detention camps. In part because of these forced birth control measures, the birth rate in the Xinjiang region dropped by over 24 percent just in 2018.
COVID has only provided a veil for the Chinese government to intensify their repression—and even benefit from it. Xinjiang has been under strict lockdown even as the rest of China re-opens. Officials have even gone door to door, placing tape or even metal bars to prevent residents from leaving. Services for those in lockdown have been scarce, especially in comparison to what those outside the region have received in past lockdowns. Described as a "wartime" mode, there is no end date in sight for restrictions in the region.
Reports out of Xinjiang have also noted that Uighurs are forced to work to produce personal protective equipment, or PPE, that companies can sell during the COVID crisis. A shipment of masks to Georgia came from a factory where 100 Uighurs were sent to work and pledge their loyalty to China.
Restrictions have only grown tighter during COVID, and the pandemic could allow for even more surveillance and repression by the government through COVID tracking and lengthy lockdowns. The Chinese government has long claimed that the Uighurs and the Xinjiang region required surveillance to combat extremism. President Xi Jinping even advocated for using "dictatorship" tools to combat so-called Islamic extremism.
Repression in Xinjiang is just one example of China's attempt to Sinicize religion to make it conform to Chinese Communist Party doctrine. The CCP's doctrine revolves around atheism, in part due to the supremacy of the party over all else. China has also attempted to justify their repression by calling their surveillance a part of the War on Terror, as Uighurs were also blamed for terrorist attacks in China.
There is also a big economic incentive for China to control the region: the expansion of their Belt and Road initiative. This plan, aiming to fully link China to Europe and even beyond, seeks to create a network of roads, pipelines, shipping lanes, and economic channels. The road through China towards Europe and the Middle East cuts directly through the Xinjiang region, meaning that ensuring stability there is key to China's expansion plans. Additionally, natural gas and coal are plentiful in Xinjiang, which are highly profitable.
International response to the human rights abuses in the region has also been muted. The United Nations Human Rights Chief has requested access to the camps, and the European Union has condemned China's actions. In June, the United States imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for aiding the human rights abuses of Uighurs in Xinjiang. Yet the sanctions will most likely not have a major effect, as the individuals sanctioned likely have few assets outside China. In October 2019, the Trump administration imposed restrictions on imports from Xinjiang and restrictions on individuals involved with the repression of Uighurs. Activists and organizations, however, say there is more left to be done, including restrictions on exports of certain surveillance products and asylum for Uighurs who have fled China. Unfortunately, the rise of COVID has left other nations too preoccupied to adequately respond.
In August, Merdan Ghappar, a Uighur model, recorded a video from one of the so-called re-education camps. He was shown shackled in a sparse room with only a bed, and recalled seeing other detainees with black sacks over their head, handcuffs, and shackles. He also messaged others with accounts of unsanitary conditions and physical torture. Ghappar has not been heard from since.
Uighurs had been suffering far before the COVID crisis struck China and, subsequently, the rest of the world. The pandemic has only provided a further veil for the government to disguise their repression and surveillance as necessary measures. A stronger, more cohesive international response, both economically and politically, will be key to change. Yet with COVID, any international response has been made difficult, leading activist groups to instead fill the void. The way in which the international community and the United States respond to the human rights abuses in Xinjiang reveals much about China's power on the international stage. The unfortunate reality, however, is that China's power has been used for abuse and repression—and has gone unchecked for far too long.
China is 'woke'. The question is which came first? Chinese repression or American liberalism?
Nerm there is a huge distinction between the old liberalism and the modern progressive. You may have used the wrong term.
I am glad to see someone is concerned about this. The American media doesnt seem to do a lot of reporting on it.
Exactly. Like the nonsense of blaming the modern "lib/prog" bogeyman Democratic Party for supporting slavery when the party was full of selfish pro slavery Southern conservatives.
I guess it's acceptable because people here do it daily.
No, the democratic party has housed many groups and ideologies. Southern segregationists were never Conservatives. Just like today's democratic party contains the rotten progressive ideology which promotes identity politics, which isn't any less divisive than segregation.
Blatantly false.
The usual hate filled rhetoric you blame others of.
SMH
The original Federalists were the progressives of their time. The Federalists were not confederation conservatives and were not mercantile liberals. The Federalist Papers explain what it means to be progressive.
The loony politics of both parties want to claim their ideological nonsense is rooted in the founding of the United States. But the reality is that progressives are Federalists.
That's not much of a counter argument.
The usual hate filled rhetoric you blame others of.
Don't skirt the code, just say what you want to. We are all civilized here, right?
I have to disagree. Progressives are those who think that nothing, including the Constitution, should get in the way of their vision of Utopia. I think even the old fashioned liberals, who believed in civil liberties, might agree with me,
Are neo-liberals progressive? Neo-liberal Republicans and Democrats have been subverting the Constitution and undermining national sovereignty.
Aren't you blaming Federalists for what neo-liberals have done?
Then you know nothing about progressives!
Nerm, you've lost me. To me there is only the old classical liberalism of FDR and the modern progressive movement of Bill Ayers/AOC.
Aren't you blaming Federalists for what neo-liberals have done?
I doubt it.
Like I know my right hand!
I'm sorry you're not familiar with your own hand.
Better than they know themselves. Thus why I am so fond of them. You can't even offer them an olive branch. That is how extreme they are. Not an ounce of decency or human emotion..
Therein lies the problem. FDR was a progressive and not a classical liberal. Bill Ayers and AOC are social liberals and not progressives.
China has been around in one governmental state or another, repressing different groups of the conquered for over 5,000 years.
The comparison to American liberalism is asinine, just an attempt to arouse hostility.
American liberalism was created when a handful of British citizens of a British colony revolted over taxation without representation.
You should be thanking the "invention" of American Liberalism for the great things in your life starting with The Constitution.
btw,
love how you manage to insert your disdain for candidate Biden in almost every seed, well done /s
Just shows how much liberalism has changed - or at least what we call liberal. When is the last time a so-called liberal encountered a tax or a fee they didn't support?
Well, they do say that English is a living, ever changing language.
I do believe that is moving the goal posts as well as off topic, lol.
I thought the author/seeder determined what was off topic?
Only the authors flags for off topic are considered valid.
That does not preclude dozens of flags daily by offended non authors, nor does it preclude a valid discussion.
That's not what Perrie said when someone said she was going off topic. She said it was up to the author (specifically that was me at that time).
So which is it?
The opposite of what you said in 2.1.1
Re-read what I wrote, and please desist with the meta.
Oh, that's right every comment I make should be deleted. Meanwhile calling people names passes for debate around here.
What you said in 2.1.1 was your opinion of what was off topic. You are not the author/seeder here, correct ?
Please re-read what I wrote or stop wasting my time with pointless meta comments.
Thanks in Advance
Part of his M.O.
While conveniently ignoring that Trump expressed his approval of Uighur concentration camps.
Perhaps you could provide us with a link showing where he specifically said what you claim he said?
That is an allegation from Bolton's book. I asked you to show us where Trump specifically said it.
[[delete]]
BTW, From your link:
The camps have been criticized by the White House, and lawmakers from both parties have condemned the practice.
Take it up with John Bolton, Vic.
The White House also says that Trump didn't downplay Covid-19, when Trump specifically says he did. The White House has no credibility.
And address me by my name, please.
No, I don't deal with allegations. I'm taking it up with you. You made a claim about Trump that you can't prove. Anybody can make an allegation just like when Adam Schiff claimed that he has seen “more than circumstantial evidence” of a Trump-Putin conspiracy
That is called an allegation!
Here’s Obama’s director of national intelligence, and CNN analyst, James Clapper: “I never saw any direct empirical evidence that the Trump campaign or someone in it was plotting/conspiring with the Russians to meddle with the election.”
That was secret testimony.
The bottom line is you don't have any evidence Trump ever said it. Clearly he never publicly, specifically said it.
And address me by my name, please.
Didn't you recently tell me that all the name calling that went on here for 3 years was "truth?"
I never said he said it publicly.
You objected to name-calling about Trump. Public figures are fair game. Fellow NTers are not.
I'm glad you came back, Sandy. I should have let your comment go.
How about you and I agree not to discuss Trump or Biden?
Doesn't matter what links or facts you provide, certain posters always discount and then move the goal posts.
Neither do you deal with facts or proof.
Aren't American liberals doing what China has done for 5,000 years? American liberals attempting to repress portions of the population has aroused hostility. And American liberals are using China's playbook of declaring that aroused hostility, caused by repression, is a threat to society and those expressing that hostility are domestic terrorists.
American liberals are engaged in a politically correct cultural genocide.
Joe Biden is using the Democratic Party in the same manner that Xi Jinping is using the Chinese Communist Party. Chinese repression is American 'woke'.
Where is this occurring?
how are you being oppressed by a political party or ideology?
Are you willing to revolt over air bags, seat belts et al?
Are they "liberal" ideas.
SMH
Split, wear a MAGA hat for about weak and you'll get it.
Well, therein lies the problem. When I wear hats they are either Stetsons or Atwoods.
I display 2 American flags daily, get my retired military discounts at Lowes and Home Depot and treat every one I meet with equal respect whether or not they are wearing that rare MAGA baseball cap or not.
But you don't dare wear the red hat, nor do you dare admit the obvious.
One of my wives wanted to buy a strap on dildo, I told her there is only one rule I have about buying tools.
I won't waste the $$ on anything that will only be used once.
I own zero political hats or signs.
Nerm, feel free to deleted this as long as you remind everyone of what the topic is.
It certainly isn't me, despite Vic's best efforts.
The question was: "Aren't American liberals doing what China has done for 5,000 years? American liberals attempting to repress portions of the population has aroused hostility. "
You seemed oblivious to the accosting of Americans for their political views. I suggested you wear the red hat so that you might understand what others face.
I'm sure everyone go it, INCLUDING YOU!
And you seem to think that is one-sided.
In case you can't recall what the man in the image is yelling...
"White power!" "White power!" "White power!"...
Being repressed isn't the same as being oppressed . They're not interchangeable.
Political correctness, in and of itself, is repressive. Criminalizing beliefs and traditions, justified by political correctness, would be oppressive.
That's a valid point. Split Personality is not the topic of discussion. So, sharing personal information isn't topical, either. Complaining about being a topic of discussion while talking about oneself seems to be kinda meta..
A gentle reminder, too. Don't poke the bear.
Absolutely one sided!
The mayhem, nastiness and incivility is all on one side.
Incase any of you have been on another planet the past one hundred days:
Those riots, however, were largely confined to one metropolitan area. Destruction and looting that erupted after Floyd’s death was reported in at least 25 cities, and spread into many suburbs as well. The extent of damage was unknown as of late Monday, but a sample of local news reports suggests that it is widespread:
The National Guard reported on Monday that it had deployed troops in 24 states to protect lives and property.
The Chinese government has been oppressing the Uighur population in the Xinjiang region (East Turkestan). American liberals have been attempting to repress traditional conventions in the United States.
The election of Joe Biden risks transforming American liberal repression of traditional conventions into outright oppression of those traditional conventions. Joe Biden has been threatening to go the next step and adopt methods of oppression used by the Chinese government.
American liberals have been moving the United States, step by step, toward National Socialism. National Socialism didn't just pop up overnight. National Socialism arose from a long, gradual progression of repression to oppression. The warning signs are flashing in the United States but no one is paying attention.
A comparison between Chinese oppression of the Uighur population and American liberal repression of traditional conventions in the United States are really about comparing the same thing at different stages of progression. The United States still has time to stop that progression from repressive politics becoming oppressive politics.
The topic of discussion really is a comparison between Chinese oppression and American liberal repression.
Well I respectfully disagree with the comparison.
You already stated that oppression and repression are not interchangeable ( 2.3.10),
so this is just another politically biased hit piece where anything goes as long as it aligns with your bias.
Got it.
Moving on...
That's correct; repression and oppression are not the same. But history is replete with examples of repression becoming oppression.
American liberals are using political correctness and a contrived secularism to repress traditional conventions in the United States. American liberals have openly declared intent to obtain political power and impose their repressive politics on the United States. American liberals have openly stated intent to use government to eliminate those traditional conventions.
That's the same progression that gave rise to National Socialism. That's the same progression that has allowed the Chinese government to oppress the Uighur population.