Question 1

What's going on in Xinjiang?

Accepted Answer

The region is the source of political and trade tensions between China and several Western countries.

Question 2

What is the Xinjiang cotton dispute about?

Accepted Answer

Alleged widespread use of forced labour have prompted Western bans of Xinjiang cotton, while Chinese consumers have boycotted global brands that said they will not source cotton from the region.

Question 3

Who are the Uygurs and how is their culture changing?

Accepted Answer

The Uygurs are Turkic Muslims who were one of the first ethnic groups to settle in Xinjiang.

Question 4

How has China's approach to terrorism affected its policies in Xinjiang?

Accepted Answer

China says a major reason behind its tough measures in Xinjiang are to beat terrorism.

Question 5

What does climate change have to do with China's development plans for Xinjiang?

Accepted Answer

Summer rains in western China have nearly doubled in the past 50 years because of climate change, posing an unexpected threat to Belt and Road Initiative projects in Xinjiang and central Asia.

Question 6

How has Xinjiang's population changes impacted its ecological footprint?

Accepted Answer

The population of Urumqi has increased more than a third over the last 10 years, severely stretching land and water resources in the regional capital.

Question 7

When did claims of "genocide" in Xinjiang first emerge?

Accepted Answer

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused China of “genocide and crimes against humanity” on January 19, 2021, his last full day as America’s top diplomat.

Question 8

What does Xinjiang have to do with Beijing’s 2022 Winter Olympics?

Accepted Answer

Much like the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a lot of the focus on the Winter Games has been away from the sport and instead on talk of a potential boycott.