July 11, 2024
Chinese and Emirati jets will conduct joint military drills over Uyghurland, a region known for China’s detention camps and prisons holding millions of Uyghurs. The exercises, dubbed Falcon Shield-2024, commenced in late June and are scheduled to continue until late July, involving the air forces of both nations. The Chinese military said the exercises are aiming to enhance mutual understanding and trust, deepen exchanges and cooperation, improve strategic cooperation, and achieve common goals and expectations of both sides.
However, details regarding the specific aircraft types, contingent sizes, and the full scope of maneuvers have not been disclosed by the Chinese Defense Ministry.
The drills highlight growing military ties between China and the UAE, raising concerns amid international scrutiny of Uyghur human rights situation. The location choice underscores China’s assertiveness in defending its policies despite global criticism.
Uyghur homeland, aka East Turkistan, officially Xinjiang has been a focal point of controversy due to human rights abuses and genocide against Uyghur. Reports of mass detentions and forced assimilation and forced labor and sterilization of Uyghur and other efforts by the Chinese government have been sparking condemnation from various quarters, despite Beijing’s insistence on countering extremism and separatism in the region.
