The Hanification of Xinjiang, China

The Economic Effects of the Great Leap West

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8091998
AutoresAmy H Liu (0000-0001-5380-2849, The University of Texas at Austin, autor de correspondencia), Kevin S Peters, Kevin Peters (Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.)
Año2017
Volumen17
Número2
Páginas265-280
Fecha de publicación2017-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaStudies in Ethnicity and Nationalism (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1473-8481 • E-ISSN: 1754-9469
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sena.12233
OpenAlexW2775090892
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas11
Referencias citadas7

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