The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking people who live in the Xinjiang region of western China. They make up about 10% of the population in that region, which has been a focal point of tension between the Chinese government and minority groups for years. China has long been accused of carrying out a campaign of genocide against the Uyghur people, who it says are responsible for all sorts of crimes ranging from terrorism to separatism. The Chinese government has responded to allegations of genocide by pointing to its efforts to improve the lives of the Uyghurs – including introducing educational reforms and investing in infrastructure – as proof that it is not engaged in any systematic effort to kill or suppress the Uyghur population. The Uyghur issue has become increasingly contentious in recent years, with reports of violence and human rights abuses against the Uyghur community growing alarmingly. It remains to be seen what role, if any, this issue will play in China’s upcoming presidential elections.