"China's Far West: Conditions in Xinjiang One Year After Demonstrations and Riots"

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China will host a discussion to talk about the actions taken by government officials following demonstrations and rioting in July of 2009.

At this CECC roundtable, panelists will examine conditions in the far western region of Xinjiang one year after demonstrations and rioting occurred there. Events in July 2009 exposed longstanding tensions in the region and Uyghurs' grievances toward government policies that threaten basic rights. Authorities pledged in 2010 to improve economic conditions in Xinjiang and appointed a new Party secretary for the region. How will these new developments shape Xinjiang's future? Is the government effectively addressing Uyghurs' grievances? How have government controls over the free flow of information affected our understanding of events in the region?

Panelists:
Shirley A. Kan, Specialist in Asian Security Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division, Congressional Research Service

Kathleen E. McLaughlin, China Correspondent for BNA, Inc., and freelance journalist

Sophie Richardson, Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch

Stanley W. Toops, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and International Studies Program, Miami University

CECC Roundtables are open to the public. No RSVP is necessary.