PODCAST:Drum Tower
TITLE:Drum Tower: Revisiting the cage—part one
DATE:2023-12-26 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
In the latest episode of the "Drum Tower" podcast, hosted by Alice Su of The Economist, the focus is on the plight of Uighurs, both in and outside China. Titled "Revisiting the Cage – Part One," the episode delves into how the Chinese government's repressive policies in the Xinjiang region have not only impacted Uighurs domestically but also abroad. This republishing of the two-part series, "The Cage," coincides with China's upcoming human rights review by the UN in early 2024.
The episode highlights the increased international trade with Xinjiang, including exports, despite ongoing concerns about forced labor. It particularly underscores the dilemma faced by Uighurs living outside Xinjiang, who are torn between speaking out against the injustices and protecting their families back home.
The narrative is anchored by the story of Abdulei Ayup, a Uighur linguist and activist from Xinjiang, now in Norway, who describes the struggles of Uighurs outside China. He shares a poignant Uighur folktale symbolizing the connection and mutual dependency between Uighurs in Xinjiang ("the caged bird") and those abroad.
The podcast recounts the experiences of various Uighurs, like Nagara, a woman living in Istanbul, who had to abruptly cease contact with her family in Xinjiang. It explores the broader context of Uighur repression, tracing back to the Mao era, intensifying with the 2009 ethnic riots, and culminating in the establishment of re-education camps around 2017. These camps, initially denied but later acknowledged by the Chinese government as "vocational training schools," were part of a larger strategy to suppress Uighur identity and dissent.
The episode paints a vivid picture of the situation in Xinjiang through Alice's visit to Kashgar. It showcases how Uighurs living abroad, like Coaster in the United States, struggle with guilt, fear, and the longing to reconnect with their families. It also touches on the Chinese government's efforts to control the narrative about Xinjiang, including inviting foreign delegations and influencers to the region.
"Revisiting the Cage – Part One" ends with a cliffhanger, as it delves into how the Chinese government leverages the families of Uighurs living abroad to silence dissent. The episode is a powerful exposition of the complex and harrowing experiences of the Uighur diaspora, battling the implications of China's policies both at home and globally.
