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Opinion | Why China is becoming the bogeyman in its border lands
- Chinese people, embassies and projects are increasingly the target of separatist and terrorist violence as protests against Uygur treatment grow
- As a big player, China’s mere presence and support for the authorities in the region makes it a target for local anger
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When you become a big power, you become a big target. This is a lesson Beijing is increasingly learning. While much of China’s concern is with tension and anger from the West, there is an undercurrent sweeping through China’s immediate periphery which illustrates how this can become a sharper local problem.
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China’s southern and western borders are increasingly marked by countries where angry minorities are focusing their rage on Beijing. In some extreme cases, this is resulting in terrorism. The most dramatic cases are in Pakistan and Indonesia.
Earlier this year, Sindhi and Balochi separatists announced an alliance to fight against China and Pakistan. While Sindhi groups have been fairly limited in targeting China, Balochi groups have undertaken high-profile attacks – with little success, admittedly – on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Karachi Stock Exchange and a hotel at the Chinese investment project in Gwadar.
The groups, which also claim to target the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, are angry at Beijing for supporting the federal government in Islamabad, therefore supporting their oppression.
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Several killed in attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange
Several killed in attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange
In Indonesia, the case is more multilayered. Crack security forces recently arrested groups associated with the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah network for planning attacks on Chinese targets. The groups were reportedly fearful of Communist infiltration and saw Chinese shop owners in Banten as targets for retaliation.
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