Terrorism and counter-terrorism in China: domestic and foreign policy dimensions

摘要

To a casual reader, China does not immediately come to mind when the subject of terrorism is raised. We associate terrorism with ultra-violence in the Middle East, random bombings and shootings in western Europe and shadowy ragtag groups in south-east Asia. Even so, China has much experience of dealing with terrorist incidents, principally relating to pro-independence groups in its north-western Xinjiang province, and the country has played a major role in international counterterrorism efforts. Xinjiang has been in the news lately, due to the alleged forced detention of as many as 1.5 million Xinjiang Uighurs (Beijing claims they are in voluntary vocational training camps). Michael Clarke, from the Australian National University, provides a useful edited volume on China's complicated place at the international terrorism table.