| This thesis examines how the Uyghur migrants in Guangzhou construct their ethnicity. I deconstruct the voice behind the state discourse, and analyze three binary relationships between the Uyghur migrants and the state, between the Uyghur migrants and the Han, and between the Uyghur migrants and the other Muslim groups in the context of globalization.I argue that there are three decisive elements in the Uyghur migrants' construction of their ethnicity, namely one theme, two discourses, and three binary relationships. One theme refers to the unity and stability of the Chinese nation, which is not only the aim of the goverment to promote national belonging, it also creates the category of "Xinjiang People". Two discourses refer to the state discourse and the discourse of the marginal Uyghur migrants. The former emphasizes the importance of national unity and the latter focuses on Uyghurs' interest. These discourses are the tactics of negotiation between the state and the Uyghur migrants. Three binary relationships refer to the relationships between the Uyghur migrants and the state, the Uyghur migrants and the Han, and the Uyghur migrants and the other Muslim groups. Among these, the relationship between the Uyghur migrants and the state is cucial, as it influences the other two relationships. |
