The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) is slamming China’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The group calls the event a big political show designed to hide years of repression and occupation in what they refer to as East Turkistan.
In a statement on their website, ETGE points out that the ceremony, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping and top Communist Party leaders, is just a way to make Beijing’s control over the area look legitimate. They argue that words like “autonomy,” “unity,” and “modernization” are smokescreens for serious human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Turkic people.
“There’s nothing to celebrate,” the statement says. “The 1955 creation of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region was really an effort to cover up China’s military occupation and colonization of East Turkistan.”
ETGE stresses that Uyghurs and the wider Turkic population have never accepted Chinese rule. The region briefly won independence twice in the 20th century, they note, before China took full control in 1949. Since then, locals have kept fighting what they see as foreign occupation.
The group accuses China of changing the area’s demographics on purpose. Back in 1949, Han Chinese settlers made up less than 4% of the population. Today, that figure tops 40%, thanks to military-supported settlement drives and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.
ETGE also spotlights ongoing human rights issues, like mass internment camps, forced labor, heavy surveillance, attacks on religion, and efforts to wipe out Uyghur culture. These, they claim, add up to genocide and outright colonial rule.
“The people of East Turkistan aren’t a minority in China—they’re a nation under occupation,” the statement declares.
ETGE’s ultimate aim? Full independence, not just some autonomy under Chinese oversight. They urge the world to push back against Beijing’s story, support East Turkistan’s right to self-determination, and make China answer for its actions in the region.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
