China plans to fight terror in Xinjiang through the power of music

In an effort to “mobilize the masses” and bring about world peace, Xinjiang will be bursting into song and dance as part of anti-violence educational activities.
Reuters reports that on Thursday, the state-run Xinjiang Daily announced the launch of “cultural propaganda activities” coming soon to the region, in honor of new counter-terrorism laws instated last year and the fact that violence is bad. Such self-professed “propaganda” will feature a “leading role for culture,” which has been interpreted as a warning of musical shenanigans ahead.
There’ll also be public talks from law-enforcers, but more importantly: singing and dancing!

In the words of the paper, the proceedings will “delight and mobilize the masses from all ethnicities to proactively and actively participate in the anti-terrorism struggle.”
Aside from all that the government plans to use social media as part of the campaign to “strengthen public opinion” and “create a good atmosphere” in the typically restive region of Xinjiang. Hopefully, residents will be able to read their messages.

But while there is no ill that isn’t eased through the power of music, it remains to be seen if any group kumbaya moment will appease activists and journalists who lay the blame for unrest among Muslim Uighurs squarely at the feet of the government itself.
Meanwhile, Beijing blames groups of Islamic militants and extremists for problems in the region. In the past, they’ve tried using alcohol, cigarettes and flamethrowers to resolve the issues. They’ve also urged residents to use the “angry stare” to fight terror, but apparently that wasn’t working.
In the end, perhaps this is just a clever counter to the catchy strategy used by ISIS to recruit Chinese Muslims to join their cause.

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