China’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has banned government employees and minors from fasting in Xinjiang, home to the more than 10 million strong mostly Muslim Uighur minority. It has also ordered restaurants to stay open. The region sees regular clashes between Uighurs and state security forces.
Rights groups blame tensions on religious and cultural restrictions placed on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in the vast area, which abuts Central Asia. Several local government departments in Xinjiang posted notices on their websites in the last week ordering restrictions on fasting during Ramadan.
Meanwhile the website of the Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County government said on Monday that restaurants in the area would be instructed to stay open during Ramadan to “ensure that the broader masses have normal access to cuisine”.