Why the name of a vast Chinese region is a battleground for sovereignty

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The movement for an independent East Turkestan represents a complex clash of historical narratives and modern geopolitics. While Beijing views the region as an integral part of China since antiquity, activists argue for self-determination, citing a distinct heritage and brief periods of autonomy that challenge the legitimacy of current governance.

The region known as Xinjiang, or 'new territory' in Chinese, is the site of a long-standing independence movement seeking to establish a nation-state for the Uyghur people under the name East Turkestan. This name is preferred by many activists because it reflects the region's historical identity and the existence of two short-lived independent states during the 20th century. Conversely, the Chinese government maintains that the area has been part of China since the Han dynasty established a protectorate in 60 BCE, viewing the push for independence as a dangerous form of extremism and separatism.

The historical record is heavily contested. While some nationalist historians claim a 6,000-year history of independence, Chinese scholars point to centuries of administrative control and the presence of diverse ethnic groups, including Mongols, Kazakhs, and Hui. The 20th century saw two major attempts at sovereignty: the First East Turkestan Republic (1933–1934) and the Soviet-backed Second East Turkestan Republic (1944–1949). Both were short-lived, with the latter eventually being annexed by the People's Liberation Army following the Chinese Communist Revolution.

Today, the movement is fractured between moderate advocacy groups and militant organizations. Groups like the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile operate from Washington, D.C., while others, such as the Turkistan Islamic Party, have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations and several sovereign states. The Chinese government has responded with strict security measures, arguing that economic growth alone is insufficient to ensure stability. As Xi Jinping noted in 2014, rising living standards have not automatically eliminated the threat of separatism, leading to a persistent and often violent cycle of conflict that remains a focal point of international scrutiny.

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