China’s Xinjiang Problem and Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan emerged as an independent state in 1947 & has always been beset with innumerable problems – particularly the security problems. We joined SEATO & CENTO mainly because of our security concerns. In spite of the fact that these pacts were US sponsored & were meant to ensure the containment of Communism (& by implication were equally opposed to both China & Soviet Union). Still China has been more appreciative of our constraints. Since then Pak-China relations have remained pretty stable & reliable. Of late Xinjiang province, a Muslim population area has emerged a serious irritant in our relations. This province claims that Muslims never been an integral part of Chinese cultural & community and as such are legitimately entitled to independence. China is apprehensive for the fact that Pakistan – at least some sections of its population – are sympathetic to Muslims’ struggle for a separate homeland. In this article, we have tried to touch upon some of the sensitive issues involved in this problem. Our main objective is to understand this issue.