Kashgar demolition is a “serious political issue”: official document reveals aggressive nature of propaganda work used to enforce Kashgar resettlement

For immediate release
June 26, 2009, 6:00 pm EST
Contact: Uyghur American Association +1 (202) 349 1496

An official document[1] reviewed by the Uyghur American Association (UAA) lays out the importance of local officials’ propaganda work in the process of resettling residents of Kashgar’s Old City. The online document details a February 27 meeting of more than 1,100 cadres, just as the demolition of the Old City was launched, and indicates that officials were under great pressure from authorities to counter opposition to the project among Old City residents. The document’s language, and the need for such intensive propaganda work, intrinsically recognizes the existence of widespread disagreement with the project among residents of the Old City, despite official declarations that residents were rejoicing in their good fortune (see, for instance, http://www.kashi.gov.cn/Article/200903/12307.htm).

The official “working paper”, issued by the municipal office overseeing the demolition project and published in a report dated May 31, 2009, states that “those cadres with a mind to create conflict, or who refuse to cooperate in their work, or who don’t fulfill their duties and obligations, will be removed from office on the spot, without exception.” It asserts that propaganda work is a “serious political issue, for which all cadres must scrupulously abide by political regulations”.

“For those who refuse to cooperate, for those who try to obstruct the transformation work of the Old City, as soon as this is discovered, no matter who is implicated, or what their status is, we will firmly deal with them according to administrative regulations,” the document states. “Those creating a negative impression will be investigated and dealt with according to the law.”

Government officials abruptly began carrying out the demolition of Kasghar’s Old City in February 2009, as part of a “residents resettlement project” aimed at moving the 220,000 Uyghur residents (approximately half of the population of Kashgar itself). In 2008, the State Council of the National People’s Congress designated nearly three billion yuan (nearly US$440 million) to the project.

Chinese authorities have consistently portrayed the demolition project as one borne out of official concern for the safety of Old City residents, undertaken to prevent disastrous collapse in the event of an earthquake or other calamity. However, domestic and international observers have questioned whether other motives may be at play, as the government pursues an ongoing, intensive campaign to dilute Uyghurs’ unique culture and identity. The Old City’s myriad streets and warrens have preserved traditional Uyghur patterns of life for centuries, and have proved difficult for the Chinese Communist Party to manage and control.

“Prior to the destruction of the Old City, Chinese officials did everything they could short of demolition to assimilate Uyghurs under state control, including transferring young Uyghur women and girls to eastern China and removing Uyghur as the language of instruction in schools,” said Uyghur democracy leader Rebiya Kadeer. “Now officials have launched a campaign to bury the history and culture of the Uyghur people. They are no longer content to control us spiritually; now they must destroy our homes and neighborhoods as well.”

As recently reported by UAA, demolition work appears to be reaching a critical stage, with the destruction of a medieval Islamic college designated by the government as a “protected cultural site”, and the passage of a June 18 deadline marking the last day that residents of the Old City could agree to move out voluntarily.

China’s official press has asserted that Old City residents were consulted regarding the resettlement project (see http://www.iyaxin.com/content/2009-03/23/content_835080.htm), but UAA has found no evidence of any consultative process, and all independent indications point to the lack of a Uyghur voice in the entire process. Online forums in Uyghur and Chinese, indicate an overwhelming opposition to the demolition of the Old City (see, for instance, http://bbs.xabnam.com/read.php?tid-104192.html and http://bbs.diyarim.com/read.php?tid=47782&fpage=0&toread=&page=1).

While the Chinese government has proposed that China’s Silk Road locations be included in a UNESCO World Heritage List (http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5335/), Kashgar was glaringly omitted from China’s application (with the exception of the tomb of Mahmud Kashgari), though Kashgar was arguably the most important Silk Road crossroads within the territory of present-day China. Silk Road status would provide a powerful draw for tourists to sites within China included on UNESCO’s list. However, the demolition of Kashgar’s Old City removes a major source of tourist revenue for the local government- prior to demolition work, Kashgar received 1.5 million foreign and domestic tourists annually, generating around 620 million yuan (more than US$90 million) in revenue.

A recent New York Times article about the razing of the Old City cited an unnamed foreign official who said the project had “unusually strong backing high in the government.” The official reportedly refused to be identified for fear of damaging relations with Beijing.

The document detailing the February 27 meeting stresses that concerns over the preservation of the Old City due to its cultural and historical significance are “extremely irresponsible”:

“For those who think that the Old City represents Uyghurs’ unique culture, and that this is where Kashgar’s beauty, history and culture lie, this is incorrect thinking that ignores the dangers and disasters, and is extremely irresponsible; they cannot use the excuse of historical and cultural preservation to ignore the people’s lives and property.”

The document accuses critics of placing cultural preservation over the need to ensure the safety of the people, and insists that art and culture can only be passed on through the protection of people’s lives and property.
In light of these statements, official plans to retain part of the Old City with the aim of creating “international heritage scenery” appear somewhat disingenuous. State official Wang Zhengrong, who stated that the demolition project would adhere to international heritage standards, explained that tourism would continue after the demolition, and that tourists would still be able to view “traditional lifestyle and architectural characteristics” (see http://www.tianshannet.com.cn/news/content/2009-01/09/content_3781746.htm).

Moreover, a Beijing professor suggested that houses in the Old City could be reinforced and repaired instead of completely demolished, as the Old City contains “the typical Uighur way of life, production and culture” (see http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/showdown-at-the-crossroads-of-the-world-1698167.html). The professor, who teaches regional planning at Beijing Normal University’s School of Geography, argued that safety and preservation are not mutually exclusive in the case of the Old City.

Old City residents are reportedly being resettled in apartment blocks in an area about eight or nine kilometers outside of Kashgar, not far from the city’s airport. In addition to being uprooted from their jobs, communities and centers of worship, residents have also reported that they have received inadequate compensation for their Old City homes. Those who wish to stay face a lack of any institutional mechanism with which to express their grievances, and fear that if they voice any complaints, they may be subject to severe punishment from authorities.

An article posted on a Kashgar-based news website on July 9, 2008 discusses the initial launch of propaganda work aimed at Old City residents. The article notes the creation of a propaganda team and a “social stability” team, and states that municipal cadres were directed to begin entering Old City residents’ homes on July 1, 2008 to engage in propaganda work and convince residents of the significance, motivations and benefits of the demolition project. It explains that cadres were to make use of their shared language and culture with local people to convince them of the project’s benefits, and that they must not miss a single street, household or person among the 62,616 households and 220,000 residents.

The February 2009 working paper also indicates that some cadres responsible for carrying out propaganda work are themselves Uyghur residents of the Old City, and that these cadres must set an example for others: “All cadres, teaching and administrative staff, but especially minority cadres… must firmly and unwaveringly stand on the side of the Party and the nation, and stand on the side of protecting the lives, property and safety of the people of the Old City.”

“Cadres in the Old City community should act as the “good friend” of the people, to help, educate and lead the people to actively participate in the transformation,” exhorts the document. “Even if one’s own house is in the Old City, you must take the initiative in resettling or transforming, and if you have relatives living in the Old City, you must persuade and mobilize them to abide by the regulations for moving and transforming, and act as a model for the public.”

The working paper states “No cadres are allowed to act out of their own interest, to gossip, disrupt or incite relatives or the public to ask for exorbitant prices from the Party and government, to entrap the nation, or to obstruct the transformation of the Old City.”

A China Daily article published on May 30, 2009 also warns of the dangers of corruption in urban development projects. The article, while dismissing “Western colleagues'” “fixation” on the Kashgar demolition project, expresses concern that the public has been given little say in this and similar projects.

“Officials seldom bother to inform or consult interested citizens,” it says.

Kashgar city convenes mobilization meeting for comprehensive work of transforming dangerous old housing in the Old City (in Chinese; full text pasted below)
http://www.xjks.gov.cn/Item/251.aspx

喀什市召开老城区危旧房改造综合治理动员大会

作者：老城区改造办　来源：老城区改造办　发布时间：2009年05月31日
喀什市危旧房改造综合治理指挥部办公室
工作简报
（第48期）
喀什市危旧房改造综合治理指挥部办公室 2009年2月28日
喀什市召开老城区危旧房改造综合治理动员大会
2009年2月27日，喀什市召开老城区危旧房改造综合治理动员大会，市四大班子领导，检、法两院主要领导，各乡、街道党政主要领导、市属副科级以上干部，各中小学校书记、校长，居民代表约1100人参加了动员大会。
会议指出：按照自治区党委、人民政府的工作要求和统一部署，地委、行署和市委、市政府决定，立即启动喀什市老城区改造综合治理工程，力争用5年时间，基本完成28片棚户区49083户、507万平方米的危旧房改造综合治理工程，建设4622套、24万平方米安置周转房，完善28片区的水电暖气路和环卫等配套基础设施，回填地道，使城市住房抗震防灾能力显著提高，人居环境明显改善，各族人民共享改革发展成果。
会议强调：要强化宣传教育和思想发动工作。讲清、讲透老城区改造综合治理刻不容缓的形势和老城区改造的重大意义；讲清、讲透实施老城区改造综合治理的各项政策、原则；讲清、讲透实施老城区改造，政府是百分之百地为人民群众生命财产安全着想，是为老百姓谋利益，除此之外，没有其他利益。通过宣传教育使他们充分认识到，喀什市历史文化名城的保护，绝对不是对危及人民生命财产安全危旧房的保护，而是在确保人民生命财产安全的前提下，对喀什历史、文化、建筑、艺术等实施有效的传承，并发扬光大。那些认为老城区就是喀什的维吾尔民俗特色，就是喀什历史文化魅力所在的想法，是置民于危险和灾害而不顾的错误思想，是极端不负责任的，绝不能借保护历史文化名城为由，而置老百姓的生命财产安全于不顾。要通过宣传发动破除守土恋家的思维禁锢，使人民群众真正领悟市委、市政府实施老城区改造的重大决心，明白人的生命安全才是最重要的，没有生命就没有了历史文化，切实增强广大群众自觉拆迁的积极性和主动性，赢得全市广大各族群众的支持和拥护。同时，宣传部门要做好跟踪报道，及时报道和宣传改造过程中好的做法，特别要加大积极响应政策主动搬迁住户的宣传，形成良好社会舆论氛围。
会议明确了危旧房改造建房补助、拆迁补偿办法。对凡是在规划拆迁范围内的拆迁户实行货币补偿或房屋置换；选择货币补偿的拆迁居民在规定期限内拆迁的，按房屋建筑面积每平方米奖励100—200元。对自愿外迁的50平方米以下住房的低保户、低收入户按50平方米标准住房进行产权置换、并确权发证；拆迁居民的搬家补助费按8元/平方米由拆迁人一次性支付，不足50平方米（含50平方米）的按400元支付；临时安置补助费按住宅面积50平方米以下（含50平方米）每月400元支付；50平方米以上按每月500元支付，一次性支付6或12个月临时安置补助费；被拆迁人属于享受最低生活保障待遇的低保人员，在享受国家低保金的基础上，五年内由市财政为每人每月发放30元生活补贴和每户每年补助50%的采暖费。这些优惠政策体现了以人为本、民生优先的原则，是确保老城区顺利改造和维护广大群众利益的优惠政策。
会议强调：喀什市老城区改造是一项复杂的系统工程，是喀什市历史上最大的一项民生工程。各级党政、各部门要树立全局意识，充分认识老城区改造的历史意义，要在地委、行署的坚强领导下，在喀什市老城区改造综合治理指挥部的具体指挥下，充分调动社会各界力量，积极参与老城区改造工作，强化组织领导，层层落实责任，确保指挥有力、责任明确、运转协调。广大干部特别是社区的干部，要做老城区群众的贴心人，要帮助、教育、引导广大老城区群众积极、主动参与到老城区改造中来。实行机关单位包片、党员干部包户和对口帮扶责任制，层层签订责任书，做到不解决困难不脱钩、改造未完成不脱钩、未迁入新居不脱钩，并将责任落实情况纳入单位、干部的年终考核和选拔任用中。改造过程中涉及到的部门、单位要全力以赴给予配合，是哪个部门主抓的工作，其主要领导要切实负起责任，严格按照要求，高标准、高质量的完成；需要几个部门共同完成的，牵头单位领导要敢于承担责任，协调参与单位做好工作，对出现的困难和问题，要及时向指挥部办公室提出，及时研究，妥善处理，不得拖延和推诿扯皮；对有意抵触，拒不配合工作、不履行其应有职责和义务的部门领导就地免职，别无选择。在老城区危旧房改造这个问题上，全市各族党员干部、教职工特别是少数民族领导干部，既是组织者、宣传者、发动者，又是实施者，必须坚定不移地站在党和国家的立场上，站在维护老城区居民生命财产安全的立场上，从民族大义出发考虑问题，要以主人翁的精神认真践行”六种责任”，充分发挥模范带头作用。凡是自己住房在老城区的，要率先搬迁或改造；有亲属在老城区居住的，要宣传动员亲属按统一规划搬迁和改造，真正为群众做好榜样。对拆迁安置过程中，涉及一些干部、特别是领导干部或亲属的切身利益时，要做到讲政治、顾大局，绝不能以个人利益从中作梗，要以党性原则和政治纪律作保证，不但要自己做好表率，更重要的是对其子女、亲属做好教育宣传，为全面实施拆迁安置工作开好头、起好步。任何一个党员干部都不允许从一己私利出发，说三道四，扰乱民心，甚至煽动自己的亲属和群众向党和政府漫天要价、坑害国家，阻碍老城区改造。对拒不配合、搞特殊和阻碍老城区改造的，一经查实，不论涉及到谁，哪一级干部，要按照干部管理权限，坚决予以组织处理。造成社会负面影响的要依法追究法律责任。这是一个严肃的政治问题，是每一名党员干部必须坚决恪守的政治纪律。

会议要求：政府各部门、各街道要把做好群众工作作为驾驭全局能力的首要标准，善于深挖和掌握深层次的矛盾和问题，善于做群众工作，把矛盾化解在基层、解决在萌芽状态，绝不能将矛盾上交或恶化，造成社会负面影响，确保老城区改造综合治理工作顺利实施。

会议号召：各级干部、各族群众要深刻认识老城区改造工程是造福人民群众的民生工程和德政工程；要把老城区改造工程建设成为党争光的放心工程，建设成为民造福的满意工程，建成对党和祖国的感恩工程。全市上下要统一思想、同心同德，做好政策培训宣传等各项工作，使老城区居民共享改革发展成果。

See also: