Shadian incident
Encyclopedia
The Shadian incident was a massacre of Hui people
by the People's Liberation Army
that occurred in Shadian Town, Gejiu City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture
, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
in July 1975.
populations totalling about 7,200 people.
As part of the Four Olds
, the People's Liberation Army
closed down mosques and burned religious books. Many muslims set up their own factions to preserve their rights as guaranteed under the PRC constitution.
to complain. The conflict escalated when Communist leftists
criticised the conservative muslims whereupon the Muslims took control of local PLA barracks and arsenals. This led to a a string of incidents culminating in a military attack by a 10,000 strong force of PLA soldiers against the Hui people living in seven villages in July 1975. One week later, more than 1000 Huis lay dead with 4,400 houses destroyed. The PLA used guns, cannons and also aerial bombardment in the campaign.
Hui people
The Hui people are an ethnic group in China, defined as Chinese speaking people descended from foreign Muslims. They are typically distinguished by their practice of Islam, however some also practice other religions, and many are direct descendants of Silk Road travelers.In modern People's...
by the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
that occurred in Shadian Town, Gejiu City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture of Yunnan Province, China. Its name is derived from the Honghe river and the two major ethnic minority groups who live there: the Yi and the Hani. Honghe has an area of 32,929 km²...
, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
in July 1975.
Background
Shadian Town at the time had one of the largest Hui peopleHui people
The Hui people are an ethnic group in China, defined as Chinese speaking people descended from foreign Muslims. They are typically distinguished by their practice of Islam, however some also practice other religions, and many are direct descendants of Silk Road travelers.In modern People's...
populations totalling about 7,200 people.
As part of the Four Olds
Four Olds
The Four Olds or the Four Old Things were Old Customs, Old Culture, Old Habits, and Old Ideas. One of the stated goals of the Cultural Revolution in the People's Republic of China was to bring an end to the Four Olds...
, the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
closed down mosques and burned religious books. Many muslims set up their own factions to preserve their rights as guaranteed under the PRC constitution.
Incident
In 1974 a notice was issued ordering closure of mosques in the town. As many as 1,000 people boarded a train to BeijingBeijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
to complain. The conflict escalated when Communist leftists
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
criticised the conservative muslims whereupon the Muslims took control of local PLA barracks and arsenals. This led to a a string of incidents culminating in a military attack by a 10,000 strong force of PLA soldiers against the Hui people living in seven villages in July 1975. One week later, more than 1000 Huis lay dead with 4,400 houses destroyed. The PLA used guns, cannons and also aerial bombardment in the campaign.