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Uighur/Uyghurs

  • 16 Apr 2019

Why is it in News?

China is using Artificial Intelligence to track its Uighur Muslim minority across the country.

About Uighurs:

  • The Uighurs is a Muslim ethnic minority mostly based in Xinjiang Province which is an autonomous region in People Republic of China similar to Tibet.
  • They make up around 45% of the population there.
  • Xinjiang Province of People’s Republic of China is bordered by eight countries namely Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Why there exists a Sense of Alienation among Uighurs?

  • They are culturally and religiously more close to their neighboring countries, so there exist an element of separatist tendencies among the masses.
  • Xinjiang Province is resource rich, but the resources have been exploited by the Chinese Government with no adequate development in the region which has intensified the alienation tendencies among the masses.
  • People in Xinjiang Province complain of discrimination and harsh treatment by security forces which have further created Pandora’s Box of problems.


Source: Business Standard, TH