Ethnic Identity and National Conflict in China - by A Acharya & R Gunaratna & W Pengxin (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

While, not discounting the potency of the radical Islamic religious discourse in fuelling the contemporary wave of terrorism, this book makes an attempt to explain terrorism in China as an ethno-nationalist conflict rooted in issues involving minority identity. However, a largely domestic conflict is being hijacked by the radical Islamists.

Review Quotes

"Gunaratna is probably the leading academic expert on contemporary terrorism. Together with Arabinda Acharya and Wang Pengxin, he has undertaken the difficult and sensitive task of producing an in-depth analysis of the nature and causes of terrorism in China. They make a clear distinction between what might be described as traditional terrorism driven by the political suppression of minority identity and the new more ideological terrorism of Islamist extremism. They successfully pick apart these complex, intertwined themes and have produced a most convincing set of explanations and insights. This is an important book which the Chinese authorities themselves should read with close attention." - Sir Richard Dearlove, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), Order of the British Empire (OBE), Chief of British Secret Intelligence Service (1999-2004), Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge (2004-present)

"An illuminating account of a little known topic, Ethnic Identity and National Conflict in China is a must read for academics, policy-makers, and operators alike. Gunaratna, Acharya, and Wang demystify the paradox concerning China s cooperation as a counter-terror partner and the China that is less than cooperativeon human rights issues. The authors have made a difficult topic easy to comprehend." - Brigadier General (RET) Russ Howard, Founding Director, Combating Terrorism Centre, United States Military Academy, West Point

"The existing and increasing terrorist threatto China has thepotential to reshape the global threat environment. One of the first comprehensive analyses of the threat to China, the book highlights the evolution of Al Qaeda andits implication forthe rise of China. This book is a must read not only by scholars, but also by officialsengaged in countering terrorism." - Judge Jean-Louis Bruguière

About the Author

ROHAN GUNARATNA is Professor at Nanyang Technical University, Singapore.

ARABINDA ACHARYA is Research Fellow at Nanyang Technical University, Singapore.

WANG PENGXIN is Research Analyst at Nanyang Technical University, Singapore.