LAUSR

in Xinjiang: why does Xinjiang still remain part of China in spite of the thriving connections with Russia, Central Asia, and South Asia that this collection presents so vividly? An easy and convenient answer would be to emphasize military occupation and top-down political oppression by the Chinese state, increasing Chinese migration into the area, or historical contingency such as Sheng Shicai’s opportunistic decision to ally with the Nationalist Party of China. Although these may all be important factors, they are not enough. In order to answer this question, further studies of the local agency of the Xinjiang people and their decision to work with as well as resist the Chinese state may be necessary.