Historical Roots of the Xinjiang Problem as an Obstacle to the Development of Sino-Turkish Relations
Within the framework of relations between China and Turkey, connections between Turkey and the Xinjiang Region of China occupy a special place. Sympathy and support from Turkey for the Islamic Movement of East Turkestan (hereinafter - ETIM) became an obstacle to the development of Sino-Turkish relations after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China in 1971. In the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), almost no trace of connections existed between the Ottoman Empire and Xinjiang. The Ottoman Empire began its political and religious penetration into Xinjiang with the help of the propaganda of the ideology of pan-Islamism during the uprising of Yakub-bek (1865-1878). Since the end of the XIX century the Ottoman Empire also began to spread its Pan-Turkism ideology to Xinjiang. Gradually, such a policy led to the growth of separatist sentiments in the region, and the Xinjiang problem has become an integral part of Sino-Turkish relations. This article examines the process of the emergence and spread of the ideology and practice of Pan-Islamism and Pan-Turkism in Xinjiang in the 1860s - 1930s.