Istiqlal English (2025)

09/08/2025

Thailand's forced repatriation of 40 Uyghurs to China this February demonstrated China's growing influence in Thailand, and in recent days, at an art exhibition held in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, the Thai government bowed to China once again.

According to a special report published by Reuters on August 8th, an international art exhibition was held at Bangkok's Art and Culture Center in recent weeks, exposing dictatorial governments as its main theme. The aforementioned exhibition, which began on July 24th, also featured artworks related to the oppression of people from East Turkistan, Tibet, and Hong Kong. However, Chinese embassy officials visited the exhibition three days later, noticed the presence of anti-China content, and threatened that this issue would affect China-Thailand diplomatic relations, demanding the closure of the exhibition.

Under Chinese pressure, artworks related to Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kong people were removed from the exhibition, or the names of Uyghur and Tibetan artists were deleted. According to the report, the exhibition also contained flags of East Turkistan and Tibet, portraits of Xi Jinping, and cartoons depicting China-Israel relations.

The fact that this exhibition, themed on dictatorial regimes, was controlled and suppressed by the Chinese regime, considered the biggest dictator, took on a darkly ironic tone, and it is emphasised that this incident has raised concerns about the freedom of expression for artists abroad.

09/08/2025

It has been reported that the United States is engaging in intensive diplomatic efforts at the UN Security Council to remove Syrian transitional government President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas al-Khattab from the United Nations terrorism list and to ease international sanctions against Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.

According to Al Monitor's report, China may oppose the proposed resolution submitted to the UN Security Council aimed at cancelling sanctions against Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and easing restrictions imposed on the armed group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. The report states that the reason for this is the presence of Uyghur armed forces within the Syrian state army, that China has been accusing these Uyghurs of terrorism, and considers them a threat to China.

If Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks at the UN General Assembly, this would be the first time since 1967 that a Syrian head of state has spoken at an international organisation. Whether his name will be removed from the sanctions list is still unclear, and if his name remains on the list, a special exception is expected to be granted for his travel.

Tom Barrack, the US Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Ankara, has stated that the UN is currently not ready to remove HTS and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, from the blacklist, but expects that a special permit will be granted for Sharaa to attend the UN General Assembly to be held in September

The Trump administration recently removed HTS from the US government's "Foreign Terrorist Organisations" list.

09/08/2025

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

Iran has launched a new transcontinental rail route to China as part of its strategy to reduce reliance on traditional Persian Gulf shipping lanes and counter Western sanctions. The move reflects Iran's pivot toward Eurasian connectivity and diversified trade partnerships.

CENTRAL ASIAN PARTNERSHIPS

Iran has strengthened ties with Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan through transportation and logistics agreements

In January, President Pezeshkian's visit to Tajikistan marked a strategic reset in relations, resulting in 22 cooperation memoranda

DIRECT CHINA RAIL LINK

May 25: The First freight train from Xi'an, China, arrived at Iran's Aprin dry port, officially launching the direct rail connection

The route passes through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan

Reduces transit time from 30-40 days by sea to approximately 15 days by land

STRATEGIC BENEFITS

For Iran:

Sanctions mitigation through diversified trade routes

Alternative to the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports to China

Enhanced connectivity with Central Asia's growing economies

Reduced Western economic pressure

For China:

Bypasses vulnerable Malacca Strait chokepoint

Provides an alternative to the unstable Russia route due to the Ukraine war

Counters Indian and Western connectivity initiatives (INSTC, IMEC)

Diversifies westward commercial links beyond Pakistan

BROADER IMPLICATIONS

The Iran-China railway represents part of a larger China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey corridor, fitting within China's Belt and Road Initiative. Both nations seek to reduce dependency on single transit routes while capitalising on Central Asia's emergence as a major Eurasian trade hub.

This development signals a significant shift in regional trade patterns, with land-based alternatives challenging traditional maritime routes dominated by Western powers.

08/08/2025

US President Donald Trump announced that approximately 100% tariffs will be imposed on chips and semiconductors imported from China. Under the new regulation, only companies that have made commitments to manufacture in America will be exempt from these tariffs. In his statement at the White House, Trump indicated that he has taken a decisive step toward the technology sector and made a decision to impose approximately 100% tariffs on all imported chips and semiconductors.

Trump emphasised that the main purpose of this step is to inspire companies to manufacture in America, stating: "All chips and semiconductors coming to America will have a 100% tariff imposed on them. If you have a manufacturing commitment in America or are currently manufacturing, you will be exempt from this tariff."

This decision directly targets Chinese technology companies and aims to increase manufacturing within America and strengthen the local supply chain. Experts indicate that this move will further intensify the ongoing trade war between America and China.

08/08/2025

China has been restricting the languages and scripts of Turkic peoples, mainly Uyghurs, in East Turkistan, while relentlessly implementing a policy of forced promotion of its language and script. This week, China conducted another large-scale activity related to promoting the Chinese language and script in East Turkistan.

According to reports from Chinese propaganda media, on August 5th, jointly organised by China's Ministry of Education, Women's Federation, Chinese Language Committee, and China's Committee for Ethnic Affairs, an activity was held in Kashgar to showcase families from so-called "ethnic minority regions" learning and using the Chinese language and script.

More than 20 selected families from 17 ethnic groups in East Turkistan, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, and various regions of China participated in the activity, performing on stage with traditional Chinese songs, recitations, stories, and other programs.

What draws attention is that this activity was not aimed at teachers and students or workers and staff, but rather at ordinary families, demonstrating the continuous intensification of the crime of forced promotion of the Chinese language and script and that the entire population has been targeted.

The statements in the news report also clearly point to this, revealing that women's federations and similar organisations in various places, including East Turkistan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia, are conducting various activities and competitions to promote the integration of the Chinese language and script into the daily life of every family.

In a document announced by the Chinese regime in November 2021, it was emphasised that the use of the Chinese language and script was unbalanced and inadequate. Therefore, by 2025, the popularisation rate of the common Chinese language and script was expected to reach 85% and be further standardised. Under this oppressive policy, occupied East Turkistan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia naturally became primary targets.

08/08/2025

On August 6th, a cable of a suspension bridge at a scenic area located in Mongolkure County, East Turkistan, broke, causing the bridge surface to tilt and 29 people to fall from the bridge. Five people lost their lives, while the rest were injured to varying degrees.

Some videos showing the incident have been circulated on social media platforms. The footage shows that there were many sharp rocks under the bridge, and strong water currents were flowing, which swept away some people. According to Chinese news reports, the scenic area is currently closed, and the cause of the incident is being investigated.

To cover up the racial genocide crimes in East Turkistan and attract large numbers of Chinese settlers, China has allocated enormous amounts of money in recent years to build many tourist areas in various places throughout East Turkistan. It is reported that this particular tourist site in Mongolkure County has been officially open to tourists for more than a year.

07/08/2025

The US Department of Justice has detained and charged two Chinese citizens, Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang, for illegally exporting millions of dollars worth of sensitive AI microchips to China without proper licenses.

The Operation: Between October 2022 and July 2025, the defendants allegedly shipped high-value chips to China through their company, ALX Solutions Inc., which was established shortly after the US imposed comprehensive export restrictions on advanced computer chips to China.

SMUGGLING METHOD: The operation involved more than 20 shipments over three years, routing chips through logistics companies in Malaysia and Singapore before forwarding them to China. The defendants attempted to evade detection by falsely labelling the chips as "products subject to federal laws and regulations."

TARGETED TECHNOLOGY: The illegally exported chips included Nvidia's high-tech H100 processors, specifically designed for training generative AI models and providing crucial processing and data storage capabilities for artificial intelligence applications.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES: Both defendants face charges under the Export Control Reform Act, which carries potential prison sentences of up to 20 years.

BACKGROUND: The Washington administration has restricted exports of Nvidia's A100, A800, H100, and H800 chips to China. In response to these restrictions, Nvidia developed a less advanced graphics processing unit called the H20 specifically for the Chinese market, which began sales in early 2024.

This case highlights ongoing US efforts to prevent advanced semiconductor technology from reaching China amid growing technological competition between the two nations.

07/08/2025

China is deploying extensive public health measures to combat a significant chikungunya virus outbreak that has infected over 7,000 people, primarily concentrated in the manufacturing hub of Foshan near Hong Kong.

COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE STRATEGY: Authorities have implemented wide-ranging preventive measures, including installing mosquito nets, conducting large-scale disinfectant spraying operations, and deploying drones to identify mosquito breeding sites. Workers are spraying disinfectant clouds throughout city streets, residential areas, construction sites, and other high-risk locations.

STRICT ENFORCEMENT MEASURES: The government is imposing hefty fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) on residents who fail to eliminate stagnant water sources such as bottles, flower pots, and outdoor containers where mosquitoes breed. Non-compliance can even result in power outages. Some areas require workers to undergo spraying procedures before entering office buildings, reminiscent of China's controversial COVID-19 protocols.

ABOUT THE DISEASE: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne illness causing fever and joint pain similar to dengue fever. The virus poses the highest risk to young people, elderly individuals, and those with preexisting health conditions. Unlike COVID-19, the disease does not transmit between humans.

INTERNATIONAL IMPACT: The US has issued travel warnings for China's Guangdong province, which includes major business centres like Dongguan. The virus has also affected Brazil, with cases reported this year in France and Italy.

UNIQUE CONTROL METHODS: China is employing innovative biological control strategies, including releasing fish that consume mosquito larvae and larger mosquito species that prey on virus-carrying insects.

WEATHER FACTORS: Heavy rains and high temperatures have contributed to the outbreak's severity, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes in the typically tropical virus's unusually strong emergence this year.

07/08/2025

Source: Reports from Uyghur communities and activists
Incident: Death of "Ahmetjan Ahat" – former Uyghur activist in detention camps
Location and Time: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Since late May 2025

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INCIDENT:

SUSPICIOUS DEATH: Uyghur activist Ahmetjan Ahat, a resident of Xinjiang in China, previously worked as a teacher and supervisor in detention camps between 2016–2021, then left abroad to become a witness to Chinese human rights violations. He died suddenly on May 30, 2025, at Sarajevo University Hospital, with the cause of death officially recorded as "illness."

BURIAL COMPLICATIONS: Despite more than two months passing since his death, his body remains held in the hospital morgue. The Uyghur community in Bosnia and human rights organisations feel threatened by potential interference from Chinese authorities, which have a record of pursuing activists beyond their borders.

WARNINGS OF STATE-SPONSORED KILLINGS: The East Turkistan Human Rights Committee (ETHR) confirmed that Ahmetjan's death is not an isolated incident, but a clear indicator that China's repressive methods have crossed borders. The statement noted that the regime now targets dissidents outside their homeland, even after they leave the country.

URGENT HUMAN RIGHTS DEMANDS FROM ETHR:

Implementation of an independent and transparent investigation by Bosnian and international authorities to uncover the circumstances of his death

Respect for burial rights and ensuring his body is buried according to Islamic law

Activation of an international stance from the UN and EU to take action

International coordination to confront intimidation and harassment methods against Uyghur refugees

Protection of Uyghurs in the diaspora through the provision of diplomatic and legal support

SUMMARY OF THE MESSAGE: This controversy is not just a battle over burying a body... but a confrontation with a repression machine that extends beyond China's borders. The death of Ahmetjan Ahat and the detention of his body for more than two months highlight the true face of the regime's targeting of dissidents outside their homeland, and call on the international community to listen and stand

07/08/2025

In a concerning precedent, Chinese authorities have announced a widespread outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, with infections exceeding 7,000 confirmed cases as of early August 2025, most of them in Foshan city near Hong Kong, amid fears of its spread to wider areas.

The virus, which causes severe fever and acute joint pain, particularly threatens the elderly and those with chronic diseases. With the increasing number of infections, China has launched a series of unprecedented measures:

Using drones to monitor water accumulations

Spraying pesticides in streets and residential neighbourhoods

Imposing fines of up to 10,000 yuan on those who neglect to remove stagnant water

Threatening to cut electricity to non-compliant homes

Enforcing mandatory disinfection of employees before entering buildings

Isolating patients inside hospitals equipped with beds covered with mosquito nets

The United States has issued an official warning to its citizens to avoid travelling to Guangdong Province and neighbouring industrial areas, requesting that maximum precautions be taken.

Although the virus is not new, climate change, increased rainfall, and rising temperatures have contributed to its unprecedented spread this year, prompting the World Health Organisation to warn of the possibility of it becoming a global threat

Given this deteriorating situation, questions arise about the ability of China and neighbouring countries to contain the crisis, especially with the similarity of the scenario to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

06/08/2025

A lawsuit has been filed against Kmart, a clothing retail company with over 300 chain stores in Australia and New Zealand, regarding its involvement in Uyghur forced labour.

According to a report by Australian ABC Radio on this matter, the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the clothing retail company Kmart, alleging that the company has purchased products from factories involved in Uyghur forced labour and demanding that it provide documents related to its supply chain.

The complaint states that among Kmart's supplier companies, at least two companies are involved in Uyghur forced labour, and that these companies have been exposed through reputable reports.

Kmart has denied these allegations, with a company spokesperson claiming that they have been providing information about the company's "ethical purchasing" plan to the plaintiff's lawyers for more than 12 months.

Although the United States, Australia's close ally, has for several years categorised all products manufactured in East Turkestan as forced labour products and restricted their import, no such restriction has been implemented in Australia. For this reason, forced labour products manufactured in East Turkistan continue to flow normally into Australia.

06/08/2025

China is not only intensifying its assimilation policies targeting Uyghur teenagers in the genocide crimes in East Turkistan, but is also using teenagers for false propaganda, according to its historically continuous deceptive tactics.

Chinese propaganda media specially reported this week that more than 30 teenagers, including Uyghurs from East Turkistan, were selected for summer camp activities and brought to Beijing, where they visited places such as Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall of China.

The report specifically featured a 10-year-old Uyghur girl from Chira County in Hotan Prefecture, stating that she went with other students to watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, that this had been her dream for many years, and that she couldn't hold back tears when the flag was raised.

Chinese propaganda media then produced another special report, specifically promoting how the scene of this Uyghur girl shedding tears at the flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square had generated a strong response in the Chinese online world, and how deeply moved the Chinese people were by this.

However, China's assimilation and brainwashing crimes targeting Uyghur teenagers have been exposed in numerous reputable reports over several years. These include China's crimes of forcibly separating Uyghur teenagers from their families and confining them in children's camps under various names, completely restricting their religious beliefs, culture, language and script, and traditions, and forcibly imposing Chinese language, script, and culture for assimilation - crimes that continue systematically.

The New York Times also revealed in a December 2020 report that China had separated 500,000 Uyghur teenagers from their families in East Turkestan and gathered them into children's camps disguised under various names. In addition to these, some footage circulated on social media also provides evidence of these crimes.

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