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As a resident of Xinjiang for over 10 years I read your article with some interest and would like to address a few points.
I find some of your observations are a little mis-leading and contradictory, especially in the light that in 2010, you found that Xinjiang was openly and unmistakenly identicle to central or Eastern Turkey while at the same time arguing that Xinjiang was being homogenised and transformed into just another Chinese Province.
In this article, you claim that Uygur language is banned in Universities when the Xinjiang Normal University in Urumqi conducts programs in Uygur language and Uygur literature as well as other regional languages such as Kazakh and Mongolian.
Moreover, it is mandatory that all signage in Xinjiang is displayed in both Uygur and Mandarin not to mention Uygur language television, radio progams and bilingual education in kindergardens. Also, the modified Arabic script is also used among the Muslims of China’s Ningxia Province and other parts of Central Asia. Futhermore, in my 10 years here, I am yet to meet or hear of a Uygur child or adult who cannot speak Uygur. However, some Uygur children educated up to tertiary level in Han schools may not be able to read and write it.
Yes, there are Uygur homes being ‘destroyed’ many of which were illegally erected without building permits and many of which were no more than slum dwellings that quite frankly should have been ‘destroyed’ long ago.
The issues here are complex with mistakes coming from all sides and while there are many seemingly unsumountable and ongoing problems the Uygur culture and language has and will continue to survive but It should be remembered that Xinjiangrens are all Chinese citizens and Xinjiang is and has been a Province of China since 1884.