Author: By Uyghur Times Staff
Date: December 7, 2024
Kargilik, East Turkistan – On November 28, 2024, China officially commenced operations at the newly constructed Kashgar Kargilik Mirdei General-Purpose Airport, a project described by Chinese authorities as a “pilot hub for integrated trunk and branch aviation networks.” While state media celebrated the launch as a step towards regional connectivity, Uyghur activists and analysts have criticized it as another tool of assimilation and control in East Turkistan.
Details of the Airport
The airport, located in the Luq Township of Kargilik County, covers an area of 1582.13 mu (approximately 1.05 square kilometers) and was built with a total investment of 207 million yuan. Classified as an A1 general-purpose airport, it features a 2000-meter-long runway, two taxiways, and a terminal building spanning 3180 square meters. The facility also includes 15 aircraft bays, supporting a variety of planes and helicopters.
Chinese officials have announced that the airport will facilitate air routes connecting Kargilik to Kashgar, Hotan, and Yarkant, emphasizing its role in improving transportation for government and business activities. They also claim it will serve as a hub for an 800-kilometer radius, benefiting surrounding cities and counties.
Criticism of Hidden Agendas
Despite China’s claims of development, Uyghur activists have raised concerns that the airport serves Beijing’s broader strategy of cultural and demographic assimilation. “This airport is not designed to benefit Uyghurs but to further solidify China’s control over the region,” said an anonymous Uyghur rights advocate.
Critics argue that the infrastructure projects like this are often used to enhance the mobility of Han Chinese settlers and facilitate the extraction of resources from Uyghur lands. Additionally, they contend that such developments reinforce China’s efforts to centralize administrative control and expand military presence in East Turkistan.
A Tool for Sinicization
Observers note that infrastructure projects in Uyghur-majority regions often align with policies aimed at Sinicizing the area. The airport’s emphasis on facilitating government and commercial activities suggests a focus on integrating the region more tightly into China’s national framework, rather than addressing the needs of its Uyghur population.
“This is part of Beijing’s systematic effort to dilute Uyghur identity and accelerate Sinicization,” said another activist. “While they tout development, the Uyghurs are left out, and their cultural heritage continues to be eroded.”
As the Kashgar Kargilik Airport begins operations, concerns remain that its primary function will be to serve China’s assimilationist policies rather than the well-being of the local Uyghur population. Activists have called for international scrutiny of such projects, emphasizing the need to protect Uyghur culture and identity from further erosion.
