dogu-turkistan-sempozyumu

FREEEAST TURKISTAN SYMPOSIUMgreatest and most efficient way. This plan is known as the “Western DevelopmentPlan”.The Western Development PlanOne of the greatest and most disastrous economic problems for the people ofEast Turkistan is the “Western Development Plan”, known as shibu da kaifa. Inthis chapter I would like to focus attention on the real story behind this program,which has been systematically implemented since 2000. Under this program, theUyghurs have been deprived of their land, natural resources, basic rights and othereconomic and social opportunities. With this program, the Chinese governmenthas accelerated Han Chinese migration to East Turkistan, creating more povertyfor the Uyghurs and intensifying the persecution of Uyghurs in the name ofnational security.We can classify the real purpose of the plan under the following 3 points:1. Satisfying the growing demand of the Chinese for energy throughintensified exploitation of the natural resources in the region.2. Introducing and attracting a greater Chinese population to EastTurkistan, and solving various economic and settlement problems of the Chineseimmigrants by creating jobs and security.3. Ensuring the national security of China through greater control of thegateway in the west of Chin.Who is behind these events and who is implementing them?Without a doubt, the central government in Beijing is behind this planand it is being implemented by paramilitary work units that are known as theXinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC); these units have fulldiscretionary power in East Turkistan. Holding the reins of power the XPCC hasestablished wealth by dominating the most fertile agricultural and pasture land,as well as water resources. Since 1954, these have been used by China to buildagricultural settlements along China’s western periphery. The XPCC is chargedwith cultivating and guarding the Chinese frontier. To achieve this mission, thecorps has its own security organs, including an armed police force and militia. TheXPCC has 2.5 million soldiers and they display their military power to maintain agreater economic force. Over the last fifty years, the XPCC has attracted a steady426