Ethnic Identity and National Conflict in China [Hardcover]

Arabinda Acharya (Author), Rohan Gunaratna (Author), Wang Pengxin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0230103057 | ISBN-13: 978-0230103054 | Publication Date: May 15, 2010

With links to the global jihad, the indigenous insurgency and terrorism in Xinjiang challenges the security and stability of China. This book examines the prevailing scholarship on ethnic and minority conflicts and argues that the root cause of the conflict in China, especially in Xinjiang is not only about religious extremism, but also about the systematic violation of basic rights and insensitivity towards minority identities by the state. As our analysis demonstrates, the Islamist terrorist threat to China is manifestly clear and not ambiguous. However, Beijing needs to develop an appropriate counter-terrorism posture that is transparent, legitimate and fair and addresses the concerns of the international community.   

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Gunaratna is probably the leading academic expert on contemporary terrorism. Together with Arabinda Acharya and Wang Pengxin, he has undertaken the difficult and sensitive task of producing an in-depth analysis of the nature and causes of terrorism in China. They make a clear distinction between what might be described as traditional terrorism driven by the political suppression of minority identity and the new more ideological terrorism of Islamist extremism. They successfully pick apart these complex, intertwined themes and have produced a most convincing set of explanations and insights. This is an important book which the Chinese authorities themselves should read with close attention.”—Sir Richard Dearlove, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), Order of the British Empire (OBE), Chief of British Secret Intelligence Service (1999-2004), Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge (2004-present)

“An illuminating account of a little known topic, Ethnic Identity and National Conflict in China is a must read for academics, policy-makers, and operators alike. Gunaratna, Acharya, and Wang demystify the paradox concerning China’s cooperation as a counter-terror partner and the China that is less than cooperative on human rights issues. The authors have made a difficult topic easy to comprehend.” —Brigadier General (RET) Russ Howard, Founding Director, Combating Terrorism Centre, United States Military Academy, West Point

“The existing and increasing terrorist threat to China has the potential to reshape the global threat environment. One of the first comprehensive analyses of the threat to China, the book highlights the evolution of Al Qaeda and its implication for the rise of China. This book is a must read not only by scholars, but also by officials engaged in countering terrorism.” —Judge Jean-Louis Bruguière

About the Author

Rohan Gunaratna is Professor of Security Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University and a specialist of the global threat environment with expertise in threat groups of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He heads Singapore’s International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), one of the largest specialist counter terrorism research and training centres in the world.

 

Arabinda Acharya is Research Fellow and Manager Strategic Projects at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is also a Visiting Faculty at the Department of Geo-Politics, Manipal University, India.

 

Wang Pengxin is Research Analyst at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. He holds a Master of Arts in Counter-terrorism Studies from Monash University (Australia) and a Bachelor of Arts in Law from Hebei Normal University (China). His main research areas include Uighur separatism, Xinjiang issue and terrorism in China.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 258 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (May 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0230103057
• ISBN-13: 978-0230103054
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,837,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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