White House Should Be Praised for Its Revised Attitude Toward the Xinjiang ‘Terrorist Attack’

On May 22, the White House openly condemned the “horrific terrorist attack” in Urumqi, emphasizing that the United States “resolutely opposes all forms of terrorism.” This is the first time that the United States has formally condemned any violence in Xinjiang as a “terrorist attack.” The United States has previously referred to the recent events in Kunming as “violent attacks.”* Even on May 22, the American embassy in Beijing described the events in Xinjiang as only “violent incidents,”** drawing rebuke from Chinese netizens.

The White House’s changing attitude toward the attacks is encouraging. Similarly, recently British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague has openly discussed the latest “terrorist attacks” in Xinjiang, stating that “we [the U.K.] and the Chinese people stand together in solidarity.”* This indicates welcome shifts in both public opinion and official stance of Western countries.

These signs could just be temporary changes in approach from the American and British governments, or they could indicate a global movement toward anti-terrorism. It is too early to tell. The Western media has always held double standards regarding terrorism in China, especially by sympathizing with the terrorist groups in Xinjiang and by globally publicizing their “grievances.” This has only helped to maintain the terrorist groups’ facade of righteousness, and it is one of the deep-seated reasons why violent attacks in Xinjiang have been so severe in recent years.

By supporting the Xinjiang separatists, the West has indirectly expressed sympathy for terrorist groups and has condoned them. These staunchly held “moral attitudes” toward the situation in Xinjiang are sometimes publicly expressed and at other times more veiled. They are signs of the West’s tacit understanding with the terrorists. Although the announcements from the White House on May 22 are signs of change, it is still uncertain how the West will continue its manipulation of global public opinion and attitudes towards terrorism.

Although the Xinjiang terrorist groups are mostly grassroots organizations, they have connections that extend worldwide, especially through support from the West. The East Turkestan group has its roots in Europe and America, and its leading members receive all sorts of moral and structural support. If the United States truly supports anti-terrorism in China, it should exercise control over the various East Turkestan organizations within its borders. Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent leader of the East Turkestan movement, is revered in the West and receives financial sponsorship from organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy each year.

We hope that the United States will change tactics and end its manipulation of the situation in China. The United States’ past actions have been a mistake, and they do not bring any benefit to America’s diplomatic relations with China. The United States should understand that no great nation truly fears terrorism. Terrorism will not pose a strategic threat to China, and it only will increase China’s societal problems.

It is a common belief in China that the United States supports terrorist activity in Xinjiang. This attitude mars the image that America has painstakingly tried to manage in China. This hypocrisy is like a nail that scars the surface of an unblemished wall.

Of course, the Chinese public is not ignorant of the complex situation in Xinjiang. After the May 22 incident, the Chinese public showed unprecedented unity and passion on Internet forums. There was not the same confusion of opinion as that which occurred after the incident in Kunming, and to a degree, the consensus regarding Xinjiang has unified under the influence of the White House opinion.

It is clear that the United States will always protect itself. The White House will always place its own self-interest at the core of its policies. If China wants the United States to change its unscrupulous behavior, China must gradually convince America to respect its power. It will be through building pressure from China’s economic strength, rather than through bilateral negotiation or high-handed moralizing, that we may overpower the American double standard. It is important that the White House respects China’s prowess.

Although there is still much uncertainty, it must be acknowledged that the announcements from the White House on May 22 are promising signs. We hope that the new direction in Asian politics will untangle these complications, guiding further change in American policy.

*Editor’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.

**Editor’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.