Ethnic Identity and National Conflict in China

"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), and 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 Pengxin 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 Oaeda 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."-Jean-Louis BruguiFre

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 toward minority identities by the state. As the 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.