China has reason to be wary of secessionist movements, with voices from Tibet to Hong Kong -- not to mention the renegade province of Taiwan -- championing independence from Beijing. With this in mind, the state-controlled Global Times recently took a scathing line on Scottish independence, stating that if Scotland gains independence, the UK will descend from a first-class country to a second-rate one, which will once again break the balance within Europe. And its consequence may even wield influence upon international geopolitics. The restive western province of Xinjiang, home to a sizable population of ethnic Uyghurs, has one of the most vocal independence movements. Uyghurs accused of being separatists by the government have been making headlines lately amid a spate of violent incidents. Attacks in railway stations and other public places in the province and further afield have prompted Chinese authorities to launch a massive anti-terrorism campaign in Xinjiang, which ethnic Uyghur activists call East Turkestan. Rebiya Kadeer, the president of the World Uyghur Congress told CNN that her cause does not even have the rudimentary elements of a road map to self-determination. Wed certainly like to see the implementation of the same model (as the Scottish referendum) in our homeland ... if there are parties in the British parliament that openly campaign for independence, this is something that is unimaginable in East Turkestan, she said, via a translator. The day we raise our voice, the day we raise our concerns, we are killed. Freedom and to be free independent is the god-given right of every individual, every nation and people. Nothing is more precious that independence and liberty. Freedom and independence is the greatest happiness. From this point of view, I support the decision of the people of Scotland to conduct a referendum to determine their political future.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:13:15 +0000
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