Amid escalation of ethnic tensions, a slew of violent reactions swiftly spiraled out of control and left residents of western China frightened and paranoid. There have been 531 confirmed syringe attacks in Urumqi, a region of western China, over the past several weeks. These attacks stem from the rise in friction between the majority Han Chinese and the Uighurs.
Mass hysteria arose from fear, rumors of intentionally transmitting viruses circulated, and public protests arose in response to the mass panic that spread like wildfire throughout Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang. Although 531 people were stabbed, only three convictions have occurred – the two men and one woman. All were Uighurs. Uighurs (pronounced WEE-gerz) are an ethnic group of Turkic-speaking Chinese Muslims that largely inhabit areas of western China. The Han Chinese comprises the overwhelming majority of the total Chinese population.
“Historically, there is an element of fundamental discrimination against those who do not assimilate and root themselves in Chinese culture,” said George Guo, associate professor of political science. “When long-term hatred, racial discrimination, and religious suppression exist, then mass incidents will occur.”
Similar to the Tibetans, the Uighurs believe that the government refuses to acknowledge their identity as a distinct people and, as a result, they must endure the consequences. Economically, many Uighurs feel that the Chinese government treats them unfairly. Not only does a high unemployment exist among Uighurs, but also a growing income gap with the Han Chinese. It is the Han who control the largest industries in Urumqi, including oil, construction, and agriculture. Religion is another realm that inequality pervades. A recent New York Times article spoke to the length at which the Chinese government dictates the religious practice of Uighurs. It elaborated how government workers, in particular, are not allowed to practice their religion.
Moreover, imams (Muslim religious leaders) are prohibited from teaching the Koran in private, and the study of Arabic is permitted only at designated government schools.
The syringe attacks were not the first violent outbreak to occur between the Han Chinese and Uighurs.
A stream of riots transpired between the two groups about a previous incident that involved two deaths and 120 injuries only days before. The catalyst of the riots was an incident that occurred on June 25 in Shaoguan at a local toy factory. A mixture of accusations and slanders between Uighurs and Han Chinese resulted in the deaths of 197 workers and injuries inflicted upon 1, 721 others.
According to the Chinese government, the Uighurs initiated the riots, which then resulted in the deaths of mostly Han Chinese.
“The war on terror has made things worse,” said Eric Mortensen, associate professor of religious studies. “Now, there is almost no international sympathy for resistance amongst Muslims of any country.”
Whatever the truth of both incidents, Han Chinese and Uighurs alike are unsatisfied with the Chinese government’s handling of the recent eruption of violence. Han citizens felt the government should have disclosed more information about the extent of the attacks, while the Uighurs claim they are being held responsible when both sides were active participants. “We use media as a watchdog for our government, whereas in China media is a mouthpiece for the government,” said East Asian studies major and senior, Jonathan Richter. “If the government is in control, then we have no way of knowing the real truth about any given situation.