Xinjiang is a region of north-Western China, bordering many countries.
It’s home to around 12 million Uyghur people, mostly Muslims.
The Chinese call it Xinjiang, which means “new frontier” or “new territory”.
But Uyghurs reject that name. They prefer East Turkestan.
Twice in the past century, Uyghurs have had their own independent nation.
The Islamic Republic of East Turkestan, 1933-1934.
The East Turkestan Republic, 1944-1949.
But both times it was reclaimed by Chinese forces.
There are economic reasons this area is valuable. It’s rich in resources such as oil.
It produces a fifth of the world’s cotton.
In 2013 China launched the belt and road initiative to open up markets to its west.
Much of the belt and road initiative needed Xinjiang.
Deleted investigates New Zealand business and political links to human rights abuses in China. It’s available on Stuff from Tuesday March 16.
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