China signs up Uygur Muslim women for deep sea missions
2 April 2013 7:25 AM IST
The Chinese military has began recruiting Uygur Muslim women for its navy in what appears to be first such experiment to open up its ranks for minorities, especially from volatile Xinjiang province where Islamic militants are fighting a separatist movement.
20 Uygur women were recruited for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) who now started their voyage missions on naval ships, according to state-run China Daily.
‘It is an honour that I am among the first 20 Uygur women to serve our country in the navy,’ said Aytulun Xukrat, a 19- year-old woman who joined the navy along with two of her sisters.
Xukrat, from Turpan in Xinjiang, now works in the communications section on the Jinggangshan, one of the Chinese navy’s most aanced landing craft.
‘After I was recruited in 2011 and later joined the navy's South Sea Fleet, two of my younger sisters followed suit and are now serving in the North Sea Fleet and East Sea Fleet. We are the pride of our family,’ she told the Daily.
The Chinese navy has three fleets and began to enlist Uygur women in 2011. The move has triggered the enthusiasm of a large number of these women who harbour dreams of becoming sailors, the report said.
Their recruitment was significant as Uygurs, Muslims of Turkish-origin, were restive for the past several years agitating against the increasing settlements of Han Chinese nationals from the mainland. Scores killed in several violent attacks prompted China to hike security forces, with inclusion of women.
20 Uygur women were recruited for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) who now started their voyage missions on naval ships, according to state-run China Daily.
‘It is an honour that I am among the first 20 Uygur women to serve our country in the navy,’ said Aytulun Xukrat, a 19- year-old woman who joined the navy along with two of her sisters.
Xukrat, from Turpan in Xinjiang, now works in the communications section on the Jinggangshan, one of the Chinese navy’s most aanced landing craft.
‘After I was recruited in 2011 and later joined the navy's South Sea Fleet, two of my younger sisters followed suit and are now serving in the North Sea Fleet and East Sea Fleet. We are the pride of our family,’ she told the Daily.
The Chinese navy has three fleets and began to enlist Uygur women in 2011. The move has triggered the enthusiasm of a large number of these women who harbour dreams of becoming sailors, the report said.
Their recruitment was significant as Uygurs, Muslims of Turkish-origin, were restive for the past several years agitating against the increasing settlements of Han Chinese nationals from the mainland. Scores killed in several violent attacks prompted China to hike security forces, with inclusion of women.
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