One of the biggest source of resentment is policies promoting migration of Han Chinese into the region. In the early 1950s, shortly after the Chinese Communist Party took over control of China, Hans made up only 6 percent of Xinjiang’s population, but now they comprise more than 40 percent.
Despite the tensions, Azizi does not believe in a violent uprising.
“The Uighurs are not organized well enough for that. And too smart, I hope. It is difficult enough as it is,” he said.
For the Han Chinese residents of Lanzhou both Beijing and Xinjiang are too far away to feel threatened by attacks. Zhang Hai, a 24-year-old student, does not believe the Games are affected by the attacks.
“The penetrating power of the military and the regional security forces is too big. They have everything under control,” Zhang said.
Still, some insecurity among the Han Chinese in Lanzhou remains. Zhang agrees with the authorities that there is no direct link between the violence in Kuqa, Kashgar and the Olympics.
The Uighurs may view the Games as an opportunity, but the reasons are much deeper, said Zhang, adding that he could not understand the violence.
“I know the Uighurs are different to us, they are a people of their own. But nonetheless they belong to China,” Zhang said, reflecting the official Chinese position.
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