Consulate-General of the USSR in Ürümchi

20 January 1958

No. 5

Memorandum on a Discussion

Held by the Consul-General of the USSR in Ürümchi, G. S. Dobashin, with Deputy Chairman of the People’s Committee of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Comrade Xin Lanting

January 12, 1958

I invited Xin Lanting [辛兰亭] to my quarters for lunch. During the conversation, he told me the following about the work of the expanded plenum of the XUAR Party Committee, which is under way at the present time. The plenum is discussing questions associated with the occurrence of local nationalism. Local nationalism is a very serious issue. Nationalist views manifest most severely in the head of the Department of Culture Ziya Sämädi, who is demanding the creation of an Uyghuristan separate from the PRC, speaks against the autonomy of Xinjiang, and insists on the departure of the Chinese from Xinjiang. Pronouncements by the head of the Department of Internal Affairs Ibrahim Turdi, deputy head of the Department of Public Security Aliev, chairman of the autonomous region Trade and Industry Association and mayor of Ürümchi Abdurehim Saidov, and the special plenipotentiary of the Kashgar Administrative Region, also exhibit a strong nationalist disposition.

Xin Lanting noted that Ziya Sämädi is the leader of the local nationalists at the plenum, and that he might be expelled from membership of the CCP.

Elements of local nationalism were revealed at last year’s May plenum of the XUAR Party Committee.

Nationalist views were brought to light among leading local workers during the discussion on nationalities policy in Qingdao (in which 6 representatives from Xinjiang took part). In particular, Xin Lanting pointed out that as early as that time, Ishaqov (deputy chairman of the autonomous region People’s Committee) was demanding the separation of the autonomous region from the PRC.

Also among those whose nationalist views have a serious nature is Yaqub Beg, head of the Department of Health, and Patkhan Sugurbaev, deputy chairman of the autonomous region.

Secretary of the Party Committee Säypullaev and head of the Department of Education Zakirov, who both studied in the Higher Party School in Beijing, also hold nationalist positions.

At the end of our exchange, Xin Lanting stated that first secretary of the Party Committee Wang Enmao, and chairman of the Autonomous Region People’s Committee, Säypidin Äzizov, have flown to Xi’an, where they will meet with the General Secretary of the CC of the CCP, Comrade Deng Xiaoping.

I asked Xin Lanting to inform me about instances of late shipments of equipment from the Soviet Union.

Xin Lanting stated that deliveries from the Soviet Union to Xinjiang have been extremely insignificant, and that delays in delivery from the USSR were basically occurring due to the Chinese side’s fault.

Xin Lanting stated that presently there was limited opportunity for the supply of cereals and pork from Xinjiang to the USSR. In terms of all other forms of goods, the quantity of shipments to the Soviet Union will increase in 1958 in comparison to 1957.

Vice-Consul A. P. Kireev took part in the discussion.

Consul-General of the USSR in Ürümchi

G. Dobashin

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