Olympics Checkpoints in Northwest China

October 29, 2008 | Pulitzer Center

A Uyghur man passes an Olympics advertisement in Kashgar, Xinjiang. A Turkic ethnic minority, Uyghurs make up close to half of Xinjiang's population of 20 million people throughout China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Uyghur men sell shoes underneath an Olympics advertisement in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China. A group of militants frustrated with the Han Chinese domination of the regional economy and the government's persecution of Muslims has taken up arms to fight for independence.

Uyghurs pass through checkpoints manned by local police and security forces from the People's Liberation Army outside the village of Beshkarem near Kashgar. Officials increased security measures after a spate of separatist violence hit during the beginning of the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Uyghur World Congress believe that hundreds of Muslims have been detained and a fresh round of the government's anti-terrorism campaign, "Strike Hard" will soon go into effect.

Olympics Checkpoints in Northwest China

Since the August 4th attack in Kashgar that killed 16 Chinese police officers, officials have intensified security measures all over Xinjiang. Militia and troops from the People's Liberation Army man checkpoints on all major roads in and out of Kashgar.