dogu-turkistan-sempozyumu

FREEEAST TURKISTAN SYMPOSIUMCotton & GrainEast Turkistan enjoys four seasons and the soil is very productive. All typesof grains and fruits are produced in East Turkistan. In 2006, grain production inEast Turkistan reached 950,000 tons; more than half of this was transferred toinland China.East Turkistan is also one of China’s largest producers of cotton, anotherreason why China regards the area as so important. The cotton productionexceeded 2,180,000 tons, and made up 35% of the total cotton production ofChina; however, 90% of this cotton is transferred to inland China. The Chineseauthority not only controls the production of East Turkistan, but also constantlydevelops new strategies to maintain control over the region and all its resources.Agricultural and pasture landA great part of East Turkistan is good for both agriculture and pasture.Despite its inland climate and harsh natural environment, there is a great deal ofagricultural production. Agricultural lands are fertile with the snowmelt from themountains and the land is famous for the variety and quality of the fruit grownthere; this area is frequently referred to as the “Land of Fruit”. Using the extensivegrassland also provides for rich animal products. About 86 million hectare, or41.2 % of the land of East Turkistan, is good for agriculture and pasturing. Apartfrom the livestock and cultivated plants, the country is rich in wild animals andplants. There are about 580 different wild animal species and more than 3,000plant species.How important is East Turkistan for China?Geographical and political reasonsThe land of East Turkistan has a geographic and strategic role for China.It forms the westernmost point of the Chinese territory and was used by theChinese as a buffer zone against the Soviet threat during the Cold War. Theselands are thus of great interest to China for its own security and that of the othercountries in the region. Even if Russia no longer poses a threat to China, China420