The East Turkestan independence movement represents a century-long, multifaceted political and nationalist aspiration among many Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Supporters of the movement seek to establish an independent nation, often referred to as East Turkestan or Uyghurstan.
The push for independence is deeply rooted in the region's history and characterized by recurring periods of tension between local autonomy and central Chinese control. Following the collapse of the Qing Dynasty, regional instability allowed for temporary assertions of independence. The First East Turkestan Republic was established in Kashgar in 1933, inspired by Pan-Turkic and Islamic ideals, but was suppressed by Chinese provincial forces within a year.
The Second East Turkestan Republic was formed in northern Xinjiang (the Ili region) during the Ili Rebellion in 1944, with covert Soviet support. This republic ceased to exist after the People's Liberation Army consolidated control over the region in 1949 and integrated it into the newly formed People's Republic of China as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Since 1949, the independence movement has persisted in various forms. Its proponents frame the struggle as one of self-determination, cultural survival, and human rights. The movement encompasses a wide spectrum of political positions, from calls for genuine autonomy within China to demands for full independence. The majority of diaspora organizations associated with the movement, such as the World Uyghur Congress, explicitly advocate for peaceful, nonviolent, and democratic approaches.
The Chinese government characterizes the independence movement as a separatist threat, often linking it to terrorism and religious extremism. This framing has been a central element of China's security policy in Xinjiang, used to justify extensive surveillance, detention, and re-education programs that have drawn widespread international criticism. International observers have noted the importance of distinguishing between peaceful advocacy for Uyghur rights and the activities of militant groups, as conflating the two risks undermining legitimate human rights discourse.