893.404/86
Memorandum by Mr. Joseph W. Ballantine of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs
Islam and China
Recent diplomatic activity of the Chinese Government toward cementing closer relations with governments of the Moslem world, such as the conclusion of a treaty with Iraq, negotiations with Iran and the exchange of diplomatic representatives with Egypt recalls [Page 194] China’s long history of relations with the Arabs and the Turks. The convening on March 30 at Chungking of a national Moslem conference of representatives from sixteen provinces serves as a reminder that China has a considerable Mohammedan population.
At the conference mentioned General Pai Chung-hsi,8 chairman of the conference, called upon the “60 million” Moslems of China to band together in the cause of “resistance and reconstruction”. General Pai’s figure for the number of Moslems in China is undoubtedly greatly exaggerated. According to the China Year Book it is officially estimated that Mohammedanism is a religion of from 15 to 20 millions of people in China. Broomhall estimates their numbers at from 5 to 10 million. J. R. Mott’s estimate in “Moslem World of Today” is 8 million. In view of the fact that nowhere except in certain sparsely populated areas such as Sinkiang and certain parts of Yunnan, Kansu, and Shensi do the Mohammedans constitute a majority or even a substantial minority of the population, it seems probable that the last named figure is most nearly accurate.
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Nowhere in China has there developed an independent Moslem state. There have occurred in Chinese history a number of revolts against the Government by Moslem communities such as the Kansu Revolution in 1648, the Panthay Rise in Yunnan in 1855 and 1873, and the Tungan Rebellions in Shensi and Kansu in 1864 to 1867 and 1895 to 1896. These rebellions were all suppressed by wholesale massacres. The rebellions did not owe their origin either to religious fanaticism on the part of the Moslems or to any antipathy on the part of the Chinese to the practice of the Mohammedan religion but had a political basis.
Although the Mohammedan population of China hold tenaciously to their religion in an external sense, the doctrines of Islam sit lightly upon them. They do, however, abstain from eating pork, which is so conspicuous a part of the ordinary Chinese diet. Although no disabilities are placed upon Mohammedans for their religion they are marked from the rest of their fellow countrymen almost as clearly as if they were a separate nation. Everywhere they are a distinct and self-contained portion of the population. Nevertheless, individual Mohammedans have risen to prominence in Chinese officialdom.
Summary and Conclusion
It is apparent from the foregoing that the adherents of Islam in China, constituting as they do probably not more than two percent of the population, form a majority or substantial minority bloc only in Sinkiang, Kansu, Shensi and Yunnan. These adherents are largely [Page 195] found among populations which are non-Chinese in race or culture or which were converted to Islam before they were assimilated to Chinese culture. There is little prospect that the Moslem population will be able to increase its political influence in China.
Nevertheless, in as much as China ranks among the first eight Mohammedan countries in the number of Moslem adherents (the others being the British Empire, the Soviet Union, the Netherlands, France, Turkey, Egypt, and Iran), and especially in view of the fact that most of China’s Moslem population is in “Free” China rather than in Japanese-occupied territory, China would seem to be in a position of advantage to promote pro-United Nations sentiment among other Moslem countries and communities in Asia and Africa and thus combat the spread of Axis influence in the countries of the Levant.
It is suggested that consideration be given to sending an instruction to our Ambassador at Chungking asking him in his discretion if a favorable opportunity should arise to discuss with Chinese officialdom the question of the feasibility of efforts by Chinese Moslem leaders and by Chinese diplomatic representatives in Moslem countries to promote pro-United Nations sentiment in the Islamic world. A draft telegram for consideration is attached.9