China's policies for combating domestic terrorism in Xinjiang

Today, ethnic separatism, religious extremism and terrorism pose a serious challenge to the integrity and unity of China. The recent years of ethnic conflict and terrorist activity in Xinjiang have resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of public property. In view of the presence of extremist, separatist and terrorist forces in and around the volatile northwest region, the government from time to time has formulated various policies and programmes to curb anti-Chinese activity. By upgrading and enhancing the economic status of the Uyghur, Beijing hopes to undermine their demand for an independent homeland. It aims to convert its policy for advancing and inducing Xinjiang's economic development programme into a coordinated Central Asian market structure. This paper analyses China's methods for combating domestic terrorism in Xinjiang.