The defense of Xinjiang : politics, economics, and security in Central Asia

As a state long noted for its potentially destabilizing ethnic heterogeneity, China has been extremely mindful of the northwestern region of Xinjiang, which is often viewed as one beset by what the Chinese have termed the "three evils" of separatism, fundamentalism, and terrorism. However, this mindfulness extends far beyond domestic policy alone. China's role in Central Asia is inextricably tied to its desire to strengthen its political control over, economic links with, and security posture in the adjacent Xinjiang region. The principal mechanism for achieving these intertwining aims is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Founded on June 15, 2001 by Russia, China, and the Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO calls for closer political and economic cooperation and coordinated action among the member states to fight the "three evils," whether in Xinjiang or in the neighboring states themselves.