760 Chapter 6
MID#3656
Dispute Number: 3656
Date(s): September 1937 to November 3, 1938
Participants: 365 Russia/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute describes Soviet intervention in the Xinjiang War of 1937, in
China’s hinterlands. The Soviets backed local provisional forces against a rebellion
of 1,500 Uighers (Turkic Muslims) and were able to cleave the area from Chinese
control. China could not effectively respond once Japan had invaded from Manchuria.
Coding changes: End day changed from Missing.
MID#3263
Dispute Number: 3263
Date(s): October 26, 1942 to June 1943
Participants: 365 Russia/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Soviet Russia normally loved its presence in Xinjiang, and its extended
stay had turned the sympathies of the region away from Peking and toward Moscow.
However, the new war against Germany had changed things. The Soviets could no
longer keep a strong presence there, did not want to risk war with China, and decided
to divert its resources. Sensing the changing tide, the Chinese warlord of Xinjiang
propped up by Russia, Sheng Shicai, gradually moved his sympathies away from
the Moscow and toward Chongqing, the provisional capital of China during the war.
China capitalized by feverishly working to regain sovereignty over Xinjiang. They
started by getting the Soviets to negotiate matters with China, and not just the pup-
pet Xinjiang government headed by Sheng Shicai. The negotiations were protracted.
China, now sensing the tide turning in favor of the Soviets in their war with Germany,
successfully coaxed the British and Americans to enter Dihua for diplomatic purposes,
arguably to prevent Soviet reentry into Xinjiang. Further, the threat of a showdown
with Japan persisted.
In March 1943, a frustrated Soviet Union decided to withdraw from Xinjiang. It
notified Chongqing that it would vacate everything from a plant in Dihua and the
Dushanze oil field. China wanted the Soviets to keep some of their capital in the area,
namely in the form of machinery and technical personnel. The Soviets responded that
they were withdrawing everything.
China feared the political and economic consequences that would follow. China
tried to stop the complete withdrawal but was unsuccessful. The Soviets employed
some delaying tactics, but still evacuated they great majority of what they intended.
Some “considerable danger of incidents” occurred during the evacuation process.
China ended up buying the remaining machinery at the Dushanze oil field for approxi-
mately US$1.7 million.
Coding changes: Start day changed from Missing.