We must understand the anger in Urumqi
- Source: Global Times
- [11:47 August 13 2009]
- Comments
Guan Zhongren
The riot in Urumqi erupted so abruptly and violently that President Hu Jintao had to shorten his visit to the G8 in Italy. At present, both Chinese and foreigners are deeply concerned why, in a rapidly growing China where the government strives for a “harmonious society,” does so much anger still exist? Mr. Geng, a Han Chinese, who used his body to shield his many Uygur friends from being physically hurt by angry Han Chinese told an Australian reporter that he felt bewildered why Uygurs, with so many benefits offered by the government, are so angry. Geng’s puzzlement is shared by the majority of Han.
Such anger is probably not only caused by external factors. As for the July 5 Riot, while assessing how separatists, terrorists and religious extremists provoked the Uygurs, we need to further analyze our religious, educational, and development policies. We need to confront some hard issues: why did so many Uygurs participate in the riot? Why do Han Chinese think of Uygurs as ungrateful? Why do Uygurs consider their position as citizens inferior? Why do the Uygur not feel that they share in the unprecedented prosperity that the western development policy has brought to Xinjiang? Why do Uygurs get irritated when asked to work outside Xinjiang to help reduce theirpoverty?
A scholar just returned from Xinjiang told me, “The issue in Xinjiang is only a reflection of growing national problems. There is a lack of the fundamental trust between the government and the people as well as among ethnic groups; in addition, there is no channel for the people to express their will. As a result, the whole society is like a pressure cooker with no release valve. The moment when these problems appear among various ethnic groups, a tiny spark can cause the whole thing to explode.”
The government has obviously made mistakes in dealing with this unfortunate riot. Considering the government had enough evidence to charge outside forces in planning the riot, it should probably have known a riot might be taking place in Urumqi; however, the government didn’t inform the citizens beforehand, and after the riot, citizens couldn’t reliably receive mobile phone signals or visit the reliable official websites. We can understand the blocking of these channels to stem off rumors and prevent rioters from coordinating their illegal activities, but isn’t it more important to inform citizens of danger than to prevent mobs from using these communication tools?
Many countries have difficulties dealing with ethnic or racial issues. Black slavery caused the United States to fight its only civil war while the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s threw the country into social and political chaos. The US has still not resolved its racial issues, and temployment, education, and social discrimination still linger. Russia faces the issue of Chechnya’s independence. In Chinese history, ethnic riots and revolts have been common. Though Han Chinese makes up 92% of the population, the minorities’ home areas are bigger and richer in resources. If ethnic tension could not be addressed quickly and in a sustainable manner in China, social and political harmony would simply be a pipe dream.
At this critical time, we need leaders of courage and vision to reconsider and revamp the current system of “managing” Chinese ethnic groups with a view to eliminate the cancer of ethnic conflict in China’s quest for peace and prosperity. . In his article “The July 5 riot through the eyes of a Han Chinese,” Li Kaisheng mentioned that how Gandhi, a Hindu, in order to avoid the worsening of ethnic conflict, sought to protect Muslims, even fasting to protest his fellow Hindus’ ill treatment of Indians of Muslim belief., We are expecting similar behavior from our leaders.
The year 2008 witnessed a riot in Lhasa, 2009 saw a worse one in Urumqi. An angry China is bad for herself and for the world. We have to introduce fundamental reform measures so that the sources of anger can be eliminated. Past dynastic changes in China happened because popular anger of the poor, the hungry and dispossessed were exploited by the leaders challenging the status quo. Those in power should na dmust understand how important to make people feel happy. It is a daunting challenge to maximize the happiness of the entire society, but it is not an impossible goal.
The author works for an NGO in the United States. This article was translated by Chen Fangya.
