The Hanification of Xinjiang, China

The Economic Effects of the Great Leap West

Bibliographic Data

ID8091998
AuthorsAmy H Liu (0000-0001-5380-2849, The University of Texas at Austin, corresponding author), Kevin S Peters, Kevin Peters (Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.)
Year2017
Volume17
Issue2
Pages265-280
Publication date2017-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Ethnicity and Nationalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1473-8481 • E-ISSN: 1754-9469
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sena.12233
OpenAlexW2775090892
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited7

In 1999, the Chinese government launched the Great Leap West – an ambitious economic undertaking to develop China's western frontier. The strategy was to use increasing wealth to abate historical ethnic tensions. And while provinces like Xinjiang have experienced impressive growth, relations between the Han‐dominated Beijing and the Uyghurs in Xinjiang have remained unchanged, if not worsened. The former claims the economic benefits have been enjoyed by all – regardless of ethnicity – and have aided regional development. In contrast, the latter alleges the growing riches have primarily benefited the Hans. This article examines these two arguments. Using original data, we find evidence to support both claims – with some qualifications. While the Han migrants have benefited immensely from the Great Leap West, it seems the Uyghurs have also enjoyed growing wages. The implications suggest that while Beijing is not necessarily wrong to invest heavily in Xinjiang, the government needs to exercise more consideration of local cultures

Beijing · Central government · China · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Economy · Ethnic group · Frontier · Geography · Government (linguistics · Local government · Political science · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · China's Ethnic Minorities and Relations · Southeast Asian Sociopolitical Studies · Law · Public Administration