To be read as a direct continuation of Part 10; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-2022-winter-olympics-opening_26.html
The sequence ended with the Child-Like Ciphers, carrying their Internet antenna balloons/drones. Forming a white circle at the base of the QUESS column.
A reference to the QUESS sequence from the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The way it was replicated in the Closing Ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics.
This circle then rearranged itself into the form of a love heart. An internationally recognised symbol of love. Due to the global spread of Aristotle and Plato's notion of Heartstrings.
Olympic Torch Relay.
The section of the Opening Ceremony which fulfilled the piece of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Protocol.
That each Opening Ceremony must contain a section featuring white Doves. In reference to the Olympic Truce and the IOC's view of itself as an organisation of peace and tolerance.
Was immediately followed by a section which fulfilled another piece of IOC Protocol. One which tells you more about the IOC's true values.
The Olympic Torch Relay was invented by the German Nazi Party. Specifically it's Ministry of Propaganda ahead of the 1936 Summer games. Held in Berlin, Germany.
As with so many other aspects of Nazism. The IOC decided they liked it so much they were going to keep it.
I'm sure we all know. The Olympic Flame is lit by the sun in Olympia, Greece. Then transported to the host country. Where it is passed between a succession of Olympic Torches in a rely around the host country.
An effort to attract crowds to build interest and excitement. Before one Olympic Torch is used to light the Olympic Cauldron. Marking the start of the games.
The Pandemic has made the Torch Relay particularly difficult. Making the gathering together of excited, tightly packed crowds very unappealing.
In their hosting of the 2020 Summer games Japan did do a full Torch Relay. However they tried doing this publicity stunt almost in secret. Without any gathered crowds.
China responded to the Pandemic challenge by doing a much smaller Torch Relay.
The Olympic Flame was lit in Greece on October 18th 2021 (18/10/21) as usual. It then arrived in Beijing, China on October 20th 2021 (20/10/21).
Then nothing really happened. China conducted a virtual Torch Relay. With a computerized Olympic Flame being transported around China online.
The Torch Relay then resumed on February 2nd 2022 (2/2/22). With it being paraded through Beijing in front of carefully selected, small crowds.
On February 3rd (3/2/22) the Torch Relay toured games venues in the city of Zhangjiakou. Again in front of small, carefully selected crowds.
On February 4th (4/4/22), the day of the Opening Ceremony. The Torch Relay toured games venues in the city of Yanging.
Then games venues in the Beijing. Culminating in the Beijing National Stadium. All in front of carefully selected, small crowds.
Despite only lasting for two days, visiting only Beijing municipality and Hebei Province. The Torch Relay included 1,000 Torch Bearers.
It also gave us an opportunity to take a look at The Design of the Olympic Torch.
The 2022 Winter Olympic Torch was modelled on the 2008 Olympic Cauldron. Reflecting Beijing's status as the only city to host both a Summer and Winter games.
Incorporated into the Beijing National Stadium structure itself. The 2008 Olympic Cauldron was intended to resemble a scroll unfolding.
A reference to not only China's invention of paper but also its pictographic language which is written from top-to-bottom. So elegant is China's pictographic language that it is often displayed decoratively on hanging scrolls.
The 2008 Olympic Cauldron was also designed to represent a Bronze Age Chinese cauldron. It was adorned with 56 clouds representing The 56 Ethnic Groups Officially Recognised by the People's Republic of China.
Named; "Flying" the 2022 Olympic Torch invoked the unfolding scroll of the 2008 Olympic Cauldron. With two ribbons of Red and Silver metal. Referencing the way that white paper is encased in, often, red silk in a scroll.
The Red is said to represent Fire while the Silver is said to represent Ice. Their combined movement expressing the hope that the dynamism of the Olympics will bring light and warmth to the winter.
The 2002 Olympic Torch is also said to be inspired by a budding plant, sprouting up towards the light.
This budding plant, particularly the Lotus Flower. Is often used across Asian Animist belief systems as a metaphor for the journey towards enlightenment. Particularly the Buddhist journey towards enlightenment.
Here the designers were trying to compare that Animist journey towards enlightenment. With these game's pursuit of the values of brightness, peace and excellence. Along with Olympic values.
As with the 2008 Olympic Cauldron. The 2022 Olympic Torch also included 56 clouds. Representing the 56 Ethnic Groups Officially Recognised by the People's Republic of China.
The Olympic Torch was then carried into the stadium itself by;
Zhao Weichang: A Chinese Speed-Skater he competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Held in Lake Placid, US. Where he was also the Chinese Flag-Bearer in the Parade of Nations.
The 1980 Winter games were the first games in which the People's Republic of China were officially recognised by the IOC. A result of US President Nixon's recognition of the People's Republic of China in 1972.
This meant that it was the first games in which Taiwan were forced to adopt the name Chinese Taipei. Prompting them to boycott. The only boycott of a Winter Olympics there has ever been.
The Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. So days before the 1980 Winter games US Secretary of State Cyrus Vance addressed the IOC. Demanding a boycott of the 1980 Summer games. To be held in Moscow, in the Soviet Union.
Although the US/UK might hope it would confuse Asian readers. Cyrus Vance is no relation to Miley Cyrus.
Cyrus is Miley's family name. Wheras it is Mr Vance's given name.
The US did go on to lead a 65 nation boycott of the 1980 Summer games. Which included a boycott by China.
Further reflecting the division between the Soviet Union and China. Which began with the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Making US President Nixon's recognition of China and the end of the US' Vietnam War possible.
Despite China boycotting the 1980 Summer games it was also boycotted by Taiwan. Not in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. But in continued protest at having to compete as Chinese Taipei.
In retaliation the Soviet Union led a 15 nation boycott of the 1984 Summer games. Held in Los Angeles, US.
Separetely the 1984 Summer games were also boycotted by Albania, Iran and Libya. With Albania and Iran managing to boycott both the 1980 and 1984 Summer games.
Li Yan: A Chinese Speed-Skater. She competed at the 1988 Winter games held in Calgary, Canada and the 1992 Winter games held in Albertville, France. Winning Silver in 1992.
Li Yan went on to coach the Slovakian Speed-Skating team. Leading them to qualify for the 2002 Winter games. Held in Salt Lake City, US.
Following the 2002 Winter games Li Yan went on to coach the US Men's Speed-Skating team. Helping Apolo Anton Ohno win Gold at the 2006 Winter games. Held in Turin, Italy.
In 2006 Li Yan became coach of the Chinese Speed-Skating team. A post she holds to this day. Helping them to medals at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Winter games.
At around 17:40 on 14/4/22 (UK date) and a terrible place to leave it I'll try to pick this up after dinner.
Edited at around 19:35 on 14/4/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and Copy & paste;
Yang Yang (A): A Chinese Speed-Skater she has won a variety of Olympic medals in a career stretching from the 1998 Winter games to the 2006 Winter games.
In Nagano, Japan in 1998. She won Silver in the 3000m relay.
A feat she repeated at the 2002 games. Held in Salt Lake City, US. Alongside winning Golds in the 500m and 1000m.
In Turin, Italy in 2006. She won Bronze in the 1000m.
As such she is the most decorated Chinese Winter Olympian.
There were actually two Speed-Skaters named Yang Yang in the Chinese team at the same time. When something like this happens it is traditional in China that the older person is known as; "Large" while the younger is known as; "Small."
As in; "Large Yang Yang" or; "Yang Yang (L)." "Small Yang Yang" or; "Yang Yang (S)."
The older of the two. This Yang Yang objected to being known as; "Large Yang Yang." Instead opting to be known by her birth month of August; "August Yang Yang" or; "Yang Yang (A)."
Su Bingtian: He is a Chinese Sprinter. The first Asian man to break the 10 second barrier in the 100m. A feat he achieved at the 2017 IAAF World Championships.
Su went onto win the Bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. As part of China's Mens 4x100m team.
Zhou Yang: She is another Chinese Speed-Skater. Who won a pair of Golds at the 2010 Winter games held in Vancouver, Canada. In the 1500m and 3000m relay.
Zhou also won Gold in the 2014 Winter games held in Sochi, Russia.
Yang Yang (A) retired following the 2006 games. While Zhou Yang was competing at these games.
Making her the most decorated Chinese Winter Olympian still competing.
Zhou Yang is separated from Yang Yang (A) by the also now retired Wang Meng. Also a Speed-Skater she won 3 Golds at the 2010 Winter games. Adding to her Gold, Silver and Bronze from the 2006 Winter games.
The Olympic Torch was then passed to a gender-balanced, equal couple. Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen.
Dinigeer Yilaujiang is a Chinese Cross-Country Skier. Following the Opening Ceremony she was set to make her Olympic debut at these games.
Zhao Jiawen was also set to make his debut at these games. Becoming the first Chinese athlete to compete in the Nordic Combined event. A combination of Ski-Jumping and Cross-Country Skiing.
It is not known if Zhao and Dinigeer were inspired to go off and make adorable Chinese children together.
What is interesting about the choice of Torch Bearers is that they were all born in different decades. They emerged in chronological order.
So Zhao Weichang was born in the 1950's. Li Yan in the 1960's. Yang Yang (A) in the 1970's. Su Bingtian in the 1980's. While Zhou Yang was born in the 1990's.
Both Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen were born in the 2000's.
At around 19:50 on 14/4/22 (UK date) I'll try and get this finished over the weekend.
Edited at around 16:55 on 18/4/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;
In fell to Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen to jointly light the Olympic Cauldron.
The decision to give Dinigeer Yilaujiang such an important role, arguably the most important role. Was interesting for a couple of reasons.
Firstly Dinigeer Yilaujiang is from Altay Prefecture.
The 2020 Summer games looked at things which are common amongst all people throughout the World.
Both things which have started in one place and then spread. Along with things that have spontaneously appeared in different places, independently of each other.
Skiing is one of those things. Which have spontaneously appeared in different places, independently of each other.
"Ski" actually comes from the Norse (Norwegian/Swedish) word; "Skio" meaning; "Cleft Wood." Betraying its origins in Scandinavia.
However there is also evidence of Skiing emerging in both Russia and China's Altay Prefecture at around the same time.
In all three of those areas Skiing was invented as a way to travel across snow. Something which was purely functional rather than recreational. It didn't become a sport until around the 18th Century.
Also Dinigeer Yilaujiang is a member of the Uyghur ethnic group. Altay Prefecture is located in the very north of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
As was discussed during the earlier "Welcoming the Dignitaries" section. Certainly since the 2014 Winter games held in Sochi, Russia. The US/UK have become something of a global laughing stock.
At the 2018 Winter games held in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea (RoK/South). The Olympic Cauldron, that ever present symbol throughout the games, was intended to resemble a; "War Machine" from the H.G Wells novel; "The War of the Worlds."
An open mockery of the US Democrat Party's attempt to steal the 2016 US Election. Stealing the; "Foreign Interference" playbook used South Korea's Liberty Korea (Saenuri) to steal the 2012 South Korean Election.
The US Democrats simply swapped Russia for North Korea as the source of the Foreign Interference.
Attempting to build on an anti-Russian myth the US Democrats had started with their attack on Ukraine. During the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia.
Prior to the US Democrats claims of Foreign Interference. Orson Welles 1938 production of The War of the Worlds was considered the greatest media hoax ever perpetrated against the American public.
At the 2020 Summer games held in Tokyo, Japan. One of the main themes was An Intervention For Britain.
Providing the UK with something of a Safe Space. To help it face up to the fact that in 2006 it just, completely withdrew from reality.
Then explore its reasons for completely withdrawing from reality. To allow it to return to reality.
The sort of things friends and family would do for an alcoholic or drug addict. To help them face up to and solve their problems before their problems kill them.
Both South Korea and Japan are formal, declared allies of the US/UK. Whereas China is a major rival of both the US/UK.
So given the humiliation they'd faced at the hands of their friends and allies. The US/UK were understandably concerned about what a major rival had in store for them.
So the US/UK decided to try and spare their blushes and downplay the 2022 Winter games. By simply refusing to attend in a; "Diplomatic Boycott."
The official reason the US/UK
gave for this Diplomatic Boycott. Was some vague complaint about China's
treatment of the Uyghurs, particularly in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous
Region. Or simply Xinjiang for short.
I think that if a lot of other nations had faced this level of controversy ahead of their hosting of a games. Then they would have shied away from the issue that is causing them such embarrassment.
That is particularly true of the US/UK. Who are really only using the Uyghur issue as a way to hide from their own embarrassment.
Instead China chose to put the Uyhgur issue front and centre of its Opening Ceremony. Making it one of the main talking points of the games.
Located in the north-west of the country. Xinjiang Uyhgur Autonomous Region is actually China's largest province.
It spans some 1.6 million kmsq (620,00 milesq) making it roughly the same size as the nation state of Iran. Which itself is about the same size of the US State of Alaska.
Due to its size Xinjiang actually borders eight nations; Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Within China it borders Qinghai and Gansu Provinces. Along with the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Region.
So vast is Xinjiang that it is actually made up of two distinct regions. The Dzungarian Basin to the north and the Tarim Basin to the south. They are divided by the Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains).
Despite its vast size the rugged terrain made up of deserts and snowy mountains. Mean that only around 10% of Xinjiang is actually fit for human habitation.
So while there has always been a small indigenous population. Xinjiang has really always been shaped by migration.
The earlier "Olympic Rings" section introduced us to the Yellow River (Huang he).
How this is considered China's "Mother River." Its basin being the origin of Chinese civilisation providing people with water and nourishment.
It also explained how ancient Chinese people believed that the Yellow River flowed from the Heavens. An extension of the Milky Way galaxy.
We now know that the Yellow River originates in the Bayan Har Mountains. On the border between Qinghai Province and the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Region.
However it would be easy for people who thought that the Yellow River flowed from the Heavens. To also think that it made its way to Earth through Xinjiang's Heavenly Mountains (Tian Shan).
It was this migration back to the source of the Yellow River. Which eventually brought East Asian or Chinese people, particularly the Han ethnic group, to Xinjiang.
When they arrived in Xinjiang the Han Chinese would have encountered migrants from India. Who brought Buddhism with them.
Buddhism having originated in Nepal, then part of India. The First Buddha being Siddhartha Gautama.
The Han Chinese would also have encountered The Saka. Migrants from what is now considered Iran. "Saka" being a Persian word meaning; "One who wanders."
In the now rare instances where I am able to use Social Media. I do so under the name; "Sovereignaka" or; "Saka" for short.
In choosing this identity I was not aware of the Saka. In fact I was not even aware of the Saka during these Winter games.
Although it does seem a very appropriate identity to have almost chosen me.
As was discussed at the 2020 Summer games, as part of the Intervention For Britain. I come from an Irish family. One which has a certain affinity for horses.
In Britain the phrase; "Irish with an affinity for horses" does sound like a polite euphemism for; "Gypsy" or; "Traveller." As in one who wanders.
I now know the Saka also had an affinity for horses. Being the first people to use them militarily. Inventing the Cavalry. The skills of which continue to be showcased in the Summer Olympic event of Modern Pentathlon.
Allowing us to discuss again what an absolute mess the IOC made of the 2020 Summer games. Particularly in the Modern Pentathlon. Robbing Britain of its much needed intervention.
When they first arrived in Xinjiang the Saka practiced the religion of Zoroastrianism. However through meeting with migrants from India many of them converted to Buddhism, eventually exporting it back to Iran.
In the "Harmonised Chequered" section. The 2020 Olympic Opening Ceremony introduced us to Geometric Progressions.
Particularly
how Exponential Growth is explained in a famous Persian story of a
peasant who teaches a King how to play Chess. In return for payment in
Wheat/Rice laid out on the squares of the chessboard.
This Rice and Chessboard story was first written down by Ibrahim Khallikan. A Persian Buddhist.
At around 17:15 on 18/4/22 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up tomorrow.
Edited at around 18:40 on 19/4/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;
Upon their arrival in Xinjiang the Han Chinese would also have encountered The Xiongnu.
Another group of nomadic tribes. Who wandered all the way from Siberia in northern Russia, through Mongolia and to Xinjiang.
Rather like the European Celts the Xiongnu weren't really an individual tribe. As much as a group of tribes united by a common language; Turkic.
From this they became known as the Turkic ethnic group.
Currently the most populous Turkic nation is modern Turkey. Its inhabitants are not European at all. Having migrated from central Asia and central Russia.
Throughout 2021, now into 2022 there has been a lot of discussion about The Silk Road. The dominant global trade route for a period of roughly 2,000 years.
How the arrival of the Portuguese Black Ships in Japan marked the beginning of the end for the Silk Road. Opening up much faster maritime trade routes between Asia, Africa and Europe.
China's current efforts to resurrect the Silk Road. Through its One Belt, One Road (Belt and Road) Initiative. A truly global network of trade routes. Including road, rail, maritime and air links.
It is really the Xinjiang region which connected China and therefore Asia to the west via the Silk Road. Xinjiang translates as; "New Frontier."
Due to its importance to global trade. Many Empires have battled for control of Xinjiang.
As we learned during the Opening Countdown Video sequence. In its modern form China emerged from the Warring States (Zhango Shindai) period when it was united by the Qin Dynasty.
The Qin Dynasty was replaced by the Han Dynasty. It was the Han Dynasty which first established Chinese control over Xinjiang. In, roughly, the 2nd Century B.C.
During the 2nd Century A.D China went through another turbulent period. Known as the Six Dynasties Period when there was conflict over who would succeed the Han Dynasty.
During this period Chinese control of Xinjiang was lost. Although it was quickly re-established. The Jin Dynasty which emerged from the Six Dynasties Period had little interest in the New Frontier.
By the end of the 7th Century A.D Tibet had taken control of the southern part of Xinjiang, the Tarim Basin.
While the north, the Dzungarian Basin, had fallen back under Xiongnu control. By then known as The Uyghur Khaganate.
In the 10th Century A.D the Tarim Basin was wrested from Tibetan control by The Kara-Khanid Khaganate.
Another Turkic nation/empire. Although one that was centred to the west. What is now Iran's eastern Khorasan Province.
The Kara-Khanid Khaganate was Muslim.
So under their control much of the population of the Tarim Basin converted to Islam. While the population in the Dzungarian Basin, under the Uyghur Khaganate remained Buddhist.
In the 12th Century A.D Xinjiang, both the Tarim Basin and the Dzungarian Basin, fell under the control of The Mongol Empire of Genghis Khan.
The Mongol Empire is famous as the largest land empire in history. So I am not going to discuss it in detail here.
However Mongol control of Xinjiang ended around the 14th Century A.D. It then reverted to the Muslim Tarim Basin to the south and the Buddhist Dzungaraian Basin in the north.
During the period of Mongol control the inhabitants of the Tarim Basin managed to forget their own history. Convincing themselves that they had always been Muslim. Rather than being Buddhists who had converted to Islam.
So they started blaming the Buddhist inhabitants of the Dzungarian Basin for all these Buddhist shrines in the Tarim Basin. Claiming they were sneaking into the Tarim Basin to build them in secret. As part of an Infidel plot to expel Muslims.
In the 17th Century A.D the Muslim inhabitants of the Tarim Basin turned to China to protect them from this Dzungarian conspiracy against them. Turning the area into a Chinese Protectorate.
By around 1760 A.D China has not only protected the Tarim Basin from the Buddhists of the Dzungarian Basin. They had also conquered the Dzungarian Basin. Uniting Xinjiang as a Chinese Protectorate.
As a united Chinese Protectorate Islam was able to spread throughout Xinjiang. From the Tarim Basin into the Dzungarian Basin.
Between 1862 and 1877 China experienced The Dungan Revolt. In which Chinese Muslims rebelled against the Qing Dynasty across several areas. Shaanxi, Gansu and Nigxia Provinces. Then, finally Xinjiang.
The Dungan Revolt was absolutely brutal. It began with an attempted Muslim genocide of non-Muslims and amid reprisals and counter-reprisals went on to kill some 20 million people.
Such was the level of slaughter that Shaanxi Province lost something like 45% of its entire population. While Xinjiang lost around 73% of its total population and Gansu Province lost around 75% of its total population.
When China finally succeeded in ending the Dungan Revolt it took complete control of Xinjiang. Changing it from being a Protectorate to a full part of China. It was then that it was given the name Xinjiang.
As we learned during the earlier "Dandelion" section. The Qing Dynasty was China's last Dynasty. With Imperial China being replaced by the Republic of China following the 1911 Revolution (Xinahi Revolution).
Between the 12th Century A.D and the 20th Century A.D the most important thing for members of the Turkic ethnic group was The Ottoman Empire.
Having migrated along the Silk Road from central Russia and central Asia. The Turkic ethnic group had established themselves in modern day Turkey.
From there they established an Empire. Which, at its peak stretched across eastern Europe and the Middle-East, North Africa region.
Fans of the war in Syria will know. That the Ottoman Empire's expansion across the Middle-East and North Africa was due to its defeat of the Egyptian, Mamluk Empire.
Starting with the 1516 Battle of Dabiq Meadow. An area just to the north of the modern Syrian city of Aleppo.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) seem so proud of the Ottoman Empire. That they decided to name their propaganda magazine; "Dabiq." In honour of the Ottoman Empire's victory.
The beginning of the end of the Ottoman Empire came in 1643. When it tried and failed to conquer Vienna, the capital of modern day Austria.
This is something that gunman still seemed to be upset about. When he attacked those Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in March 2019.
At around 19:00 on 19/4/22 (UK date) while this is a terrible place to stop. I'll have to pick it up tomorrow.
Edited around 17:00 on 20/4/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;
At The Battle of Vienna the Ottoman Empire was defeated by a coalition of western European powers.
Primarily The Holy Roman Empire led by the Habsburg Monarchy, essentially modern day Germany. Along with The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth obviously included modern day Poland and Lithuania.
However it also stretched from the Baltic Sea, modern nations like Latvia and Estonia. Down into the western Balkans, modern day nations such as Serbia.
Everything to the north-west of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the Holy Roman Empire. While everything to its south-west was the Ottoman Empire.
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth also controlled much of modern day Ukraine.
In 1686 the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth reached an agreement with The Russian Empire.
The Treaty of Perpetual Peace. This gave the Russian Empire control over the city of Kiev. Along with most Ukrainian territory on the east bank of the Dnieper.
The area in the very south-east of Ukraine, around the Azov Sea and Crimea. What these days is known as the Donbas.
That was under the control of the Ottoman Empire. The Crimean Khanate, an Ottoman Protectorate.
The Treaty of Perpetual Peace allowed the Russia Empire to join the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In a coalition against the Ottoman Empire.
Between 1686 and 1700 the Russian Empire fought a war against the Ottoman Empire. The Russo-Turkish War.
The objective was to put the Crimean Khanate under the control of the Russian Empire. Expelling the Ottoman Empire from the Donbas/Sea of Azov area.
When the Russian Empire was finally successful in this task. Large numbers of members of the Turkic ethnic group, known as; "Tartars" left Ukraine and Crimea. Having migrated there as part of the Ottoman Empire.
Of course US/UK-led NATO have been extremely vocal about their plans to attack Ukraine during these games.
Their intention
seeming to be to seize what are now the independent Donbas Republics
and the Russian province of Crimea. The establishment of which was an embarrassing outcome of their 2014 attack on Ukraine.
By the late 19th Century A.D the Ottoman Empire was on its last legs. In an effort to prop itself up and maintain global influence. It invented the ideology of; "Pan-Turkism."
An attempt to unite all branches of the Turkic ethnic group under Turkish control. Pan-Turkism is more of a wildly contradictory racist mythology than an ideology.
As with Nazism it believes that the Turkic ethnicity is the superior master. Curiously a blond haired, blue eyed master race. Pan-Turkism also believes that almost everyone is Turkic.
With exceptions for Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians. Driving the Ottoman Empire's Genocides of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians Pan-Turkism really dislikes those ethnic groups.
Despite having no scientific or historical basis. Pan-Turkism continues to be promoted by modern Turkey where it is taught in schools. The Pan-Turkist National Movement Party (MHP) is, really, the party of government in Turkey.
The MHP have a
paramilitary wing called the Grey Wolves. Who were used in NATO's attack on Russia. The Second Chechen War (1999-2000).
NATO backed Nazis and Neo-Nazis in Ukraine, particularly the Azov battalion also use the name Grey Wolves.
Prior to the former US Biden regime's attack on Ukraine. During the 2014 Winter games held in Sochi, Russia.
There seemed to be no connection between the Turkish Grey Wolves and the Ukrainian Grey Wolves. However since then they seem to have become very closely aligned.
In 1931 modern Turkey, under the control of The Young Turks, used this Pan-Turkist mythology to lead Xinjiang's Turkic Uyghurs in revolt against China.
In this Kumul Rebellion the Uyghurs and their Turkish masters were backed by the British Empire and Imperial Japan.
In November 1933 the Kumul Rebellion resulted in a section of Xinjiang's Tarim Basin, centred around the city of Kashgar. To declare itself to be an independent nation. The East Turkestan Republic.
What is now referred to as the First East Turkestan Republic also declared itself to be an Islamic Republic. The first Islamic Republic. Beating Pakistan by some 23 years.
The First East Turkestan Republic was short-lived. The area came back under the control of the Republic of China in February 1934. When the Kumul Rebellion ended.
As we learned during the earlier "Dandelion" section. In 1937 Imperial Japan invaded China marking the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Which eventually grew into the Second World War.
In response to Imperial Japan's invasion of China. Soviet Russia invaded Xinjiang.
This all happened against the backdrop of the Chinese Civil War.
Fought between the essentially Fascist Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). United by ideology Soviet Russia aided the Chinese Communist Party.
So as the Second World War was drawing to a close in 1944. Soviet Russia scaled back its occupation of Xinjiang.
Establishing The Second East Turkestan Republic. Part of the Union of Soviet Socialist States (USSR/CCCP).
The Second East Turkestan Republic lasted much longer than the First East Turkestan Republic.
A full five years until the Chinese Communist Party won the Chinese Civil War. Establishing the People's Republic of China in 1949.
In circumstances which continue to be disputed. The People's Republic of China entered into negotiations. Which had the potential to leave the Second East Turkestan Republic as an independent nation.
However whilst travelling to those negotiations. The Second East Turkestan Republic's delegation were killed in a plane crash. A Soviet Russian plane crash.
As a result the Second East Turkestan Republic was dissolved. With Xinjiang becoming a part of the People's Republic of China in December 1949.
Despite its support during the Chinese Civil War the Chinese Communist Party, now the government of the People's Republic of China, were suspicious of Soviet Russia. Perhaps understandably so.
Of Xinjiang's eight neighbouring nations. Five of them were part of the Union of Soviet Socialist States (USSR/CCCP). Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia itself.
Prior to being absorbed into the People's Republic of China. Xinjiang, as the Second East Turkestan Republic had been part of the USSR.
So China heavily militarised Xinjiang in order to protect itself from invasion from the USSR/CCCP.
This substantially altered the ethnic make-up of Xinjiang with a massive influx of Han Chinese immigrants. Both in the form of troops, their families and workers in supporting industries.
To the residents of Xinjiang this must have felt like an invasion. A threat to its own identity.
To quell these concerns. In 1955 China declared Xinjiang to be an autonomous region rather than a province.
In particular deference to the Turkic Muslim population they specifically named it; The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
At around 17:20 on 20/4/22 (UK date) I'll have to do the final tidy up after dinner.
Edited at around 15:15 on 21/4/22 (UK date) to tidy all of the above.
To be continued in Part 12.
15:55 on 21/4/22 (UK date).
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