Explaining ethnic protests and ethnic policy changes in China

Abstract

Why were there violent ethnic riots in Tibet and Xinjiang? After the riots, how did the Chinese government adjust its ethnic policies, and will those new policies solve the problems? This article argues that multiple factors have contributed to those riots, including economic inequalities, lack of religious freedom, and incompetence of local governments. The new policy package focuses on boosting economy in minority areas and improving the livelihood of ethnic minorities. Promising in the short run, the new policies may face challenges domestically and internationally in the long run.