Research on China's Historical National Policies for Governing Xinjiang

Author: Fang Yingkai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
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III. Policies for Developing Xinjiang's Economy
As the Great Khan of the Mongols and the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan not only had early contact with the Han Chinese civilization in the Central Plains but was also deeply influenced by Han culture. In Xinjiang, Kublai Khan established military and administrative management systems similar to those in the Central Plains, actively promoted Sinicization, and insisted on developing agriculture, gradually transforming the nomadic pastoral lifestyle into an agricultural settled one, thereby promoting the economic development and social progress of Xinjiang. The main measures Kublai Khan took to advance Sinicization and develop Xinjiang's economy included:
1. Learning advanced Han culture and the governance experience of Han rulers in Xinjiang
As Marx said, "The barbaric conquerors are always conquered by the higher civilization of the peoples they conquer—a perpetual historical law." Kublai Khan employed many Han Chinese intellectuals as his advisors and sent them to Xinjiang to serve as local military and administrative officials. Many of the methods the Yuan Dynasty used to govern Xinjiang were continuations and developments of effective policies implemented since the Han and Tang dynasties. To promote Sinicization, Kublai Khan fiercely fought against the Mongol princes who opposed adopting Han culture and insisted on a nomadic lifestyle. Those led by (Arik Buka) opposed adopting Han culture and settled agriculture, which was actually a manifestation of ignoring the trend of social progress and clinging to outdated, backward lifestyles. The war between Kublai Khan and (Arik Buka) can be seen, to some extent, as a conflict between Han culture and the grassland Mongol culture. Kublai Khan's victory over (Arik Buka) had an important impact on upholding Han culture and developing agriculture.
2. Developing agricultural production
In 1269, Khaidu, the grandson of the Khagan K?ten, gathered the Northwest Mongol princes in the Tarbagatai Valley to oppose Kublai Khan, one of the main reasons being, "We still want to live on the grasslands and cannot go to urban areas." Chagatai Khan Tugh Temür, a close associate of Khaidu, also opposed Kublai Khan's Sinicization policies. After suppressing Khaidu and Tugh Temür's rebellion, to help Xinjiang's war-torn economy recover, the Yuan government implemented land reclamation in Xinjiang, further spreading advanced agricultural cultivation techniques from the Central Plains to Xinjiang, playing a significant role in promoting local agricultural economic development.
3. Establishing smelting workshops to cast agricultural tools
To address the lack of agricultural tools in Xinjiang, the Yuan Dynasty established smelting workshops in places like Beshbaliq and cast agricultural tools, further introducing advanced casting techniques from the Central Plains to Xinjiang. Historical records state: "In the fifth month of the 19th year of the Zhiyuan era (1282), Marshal Qi Gong frankly proposed: 'Request to penalize escaped soldiers and still have them serve in the army, and establish smelting workshops in Beshbaliq to cast agricultural tools.' This was approved."
4. Promoting handicraft industries
The Yuan government established the Hutan Baliq Bureau and the Beshbaliq Bureau in Xinjiang to oversee dyeing and weaving handicraft production, promoting the development of local handicraft industries.
5. Providing oxen and seeds, and relieving famine-stricken people
For farmers lacking oxen and seeds, the Yuan government implemented state-provided measures. For impoverished and famine-stricken people, the government distributed grain relief. These measures also contributed to the development of agricultural production. The History of the Yuan Dynasty records:
- "In the tenth month of the 15th year of the Zhiyuan era (1278), 2,500 taels of silver were distributed as relief to famine-stricken people in Beshbaliq and Jihus."
- "In the tenth month of the 22nd year of the Zhiyuan era (1285), the Protectorate reported: The people of Karahe in Xinjiang were starving. Each household was given two oxen and two stones of seeds, and an additional 116,400 taels of silver and 64,000 stones of rice were purchased to provide food relief for four months."
- "In the first month of the 24th year of the Zhiyuan era (1287), 10,000 taels of silver were distributed as relief to the impoverished people of Hotan."
Additionally, the government provided relief to famine-stricken people in places like Hotan, Ayarkhan, Kheshher, and Hamili.
Since the rebellions of Khaidu and Tugh Temür primarily occurred in northern Xinjiang, southern Xinjiang and other regions under Yuan rule suffered less damage from the war, so agricultural production saw significant development in these areas. The Travels of Marco Polo records that the region of Kashgar had "very beautiful gardens, vineyards, and large estates, producing abundant cotton." Yarkand was "abundant in all things," and Hotan was "very rich in cotton." (Cited from A Concise History of Xinjiang, Volume 1, page 192, Xinjiang People's Publishing House. August 1980, first edition) P143-144