Riots raise terror alarm in China

• Source: Global Times
• [00:38 July 07 2009]
• Comments

Bloody riots erupted in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sunday evening, killing an estimated 140 people and injuring more than 800. It is an alarming fact that terrorist groups pose a serious security threat to China.

The scene was chilling: rioters harassed and beat passers-by; buildings were smashed and burned. Many dead bodies of the innocent were found in alleyways.

No organization has claimed responsibility for the incident. But according to regional authorities, the initial investigations showed the riots were masterminded by the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), led by Rebiya Kadeer.

Separatist groups of the region have increasingly resorted to violent means to instigate hatred among different ethnicities to realize their ultimate goal of separating Xinjiang from China.

The latest riot is the most brutal in several years. Last August, 16 policemen were killed in Kashgar by two terrorists armed with explosives. Separatist groups were also responsible for a series of deadly attacks in other Chinese cities before the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the frontline of China’s fight against terrorism. The separatist groups gained new power with shifting geopolitics in foreign countries. The groups have established a close connection with other terror groups and religious fundamentalists in Central Asia.

Separatist groups are not hiding their intention of confronting the central government with violence.

The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the most militant of various separatist groups, openly demands creation of an independent country in Xinjiang.

Evidence has been found by the US State Department that ETIM has financial connections with Al Qaeda and has targeted US interests abroad. Some ETIM members were trained by Al Qaeda in areas of Afghanistan, Chechnya and Kashmir.

While separatist groups are continuing their violent attacks, the Rebiya Kadeer-led WUC is pushing for the goal of separation under the cover of fighting for the interests of Uygurs. Foreign media is distorting the facts by describing China’s anti-separation actions as restricting minority rights.

Territorial integrity and ethnic unity are the top concerns of China, which is right in striking hard at the separatist forces. But its anti-terrorism efforts are often countered by international politics.

Terrorism is a global threat, as terrorists operate in multiple continents. Meeting the challenge requires a concerted effort among every country. When it comes to defining terrorists, there should be no double standards.