November 12th marks the establishment of East Turkistan Republic in 1944

The Uyghur people and other Turkic ethnic groups in East Turkistan (Xinjiang) have declared independence from China on two occasions—in 1933 and 1944.

These short-lived independent states were known as the First East Turkistan Islamic Republic (1933) and the East Turkistan Republic (1944).

The establishment and brief existence of these two republics are commemorated each year on November 12th as the "East Turkistan National Day."

This date holds deep significance for the Uyghur diaspora and others who continue to fight for greater autonomy or independence for the East Turkistan region from Chinese control.

The history is marked by struggle, as the Chinese government has employed repressive and even genocidal policies against the Uyghur and other minority populations in Xinjiang.

So the East Turkistan National Day is a way to remember this history of independence aspirations and the ongoing fight for self-determination by the Turkic peoples of the region.

The 4-year national uprising in East Turkistan gave the communists in China and the Soviets an opportunity to maneuver in the region.

After the nationalist Chinese government's influence in the region was weakened due to the uprisings, the situation became more complex for the Turkistanis.

After the death of Niyaz Hoja, the military commander Abdu Niyaz took control of Kashgar in 1937. He sought cooperation with Tunganic commanders to fight against the Chinese and the Russians.

In response, the communist Chinese governor asked the Soviets for help to suppress the uprising that had spread across the region.

With military reinforcement from the Soviets, the uprisings were eventually crushed by the end of 1938.

In 1940, uprisings broke out in the Altay, Ghulja (Yining), and Urumqi regions of East Turkistan. The Altay region saw some successes in these rebellions.

While the governor initially agreed to the rebels' demands, including the withdrawal of Russians from the region, he reneged on the agreement a year later.

In response, Osman Islam (known as Osman Batur) had all the Russians stationed in the Altay region executed.

By 1944, Osman Batur still maintained control over his region.

During this time, East Turkistan became a refuge for communist revolutionaries in China who were fighting against the nationalist Chinese government.

Taking advantage of this, Uyghur intellectuals and politicians started uprisings.

Ultimately, on November 12, 1944, Ali Khan Tore proclaimed the establishment of the Second East Turkistan Republic in Ghulja (Yining), and became its president.

The Uyghur politicians had allied with the Soviets against the nationalist Chinese government.

However, even after the communists came to power in China, the Uyghurs did not recognize the new communist regime, despite their good relations with the Soviet Union.

Several prominent Uyghur leaders, including Ahmetjan Qasimi, Ishaq Beg, Abdulkerim Abbas, and Dellil Khan, were invited to Almaty but then killed when their planes were shot down.

One of the brightest leaders of the republic, Jänäm Haji, was executed in Ürümqi.

In 1949, the East Turkistan Republic was ultimately eliminated entirely by the Chinese.

Osman Batur, during his final struggles, was captured in February 1951 and then executed by hanging in Ürümqi in April.

In 1946, Ahmetjan Qasimi became the president of the East Turkistan Republic.

Later, İsa Yusuf Alptekin, who later sought refuge in Turkey, served as the General Secretary of this government.

The greatest misfortune of this Republic was its overly optimistic attitude towards the Soviet Union.