Uighuristan (East Turkestan)

Last modified: 2005-04-09 by phil nelson
Keywords: east turkestan | uighuristan | crescent | star |
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by Mark Sensen 1996-JUN-30

See also:

• Islamic states in China
• China

Originally part of Turkestan, Eastern Turkestan (Uighuristan) was occupied by the Manchu dynasty of China in 1876 and annexed to the Manchu Empire in 1884 under the name of Xinjaing. In 1911, a republic was established after the Nationalist Chinese overthrew the Manchu rule. An independent republic of Eastern Turkestan existed during the years of 1933-1944. Uighuristan (Eastern Turkestan) is presently a province of China (Xinjiang). There is a pro-independence movement using the flag above.

The flag of the 'Republic of Uighuristan' was also said to be like the Turkish flag, with a blue background instead of red. Now, I have checked out flag depictions on coins from this "state", and they look different. The flag is triangular (like a diagonal cut of a normal oblong flag), and the crescent looks towards the hoist. Sometimes there are a kind of flames attached to the border.
Harald Mueller