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Story Publication logo October 30, 2008

Hotan's Jade Trade

Country:

China
Author:
English

Project

Unrest in the Uyghur Homeland

Four days before the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, the Chinese government faced an...

READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT - Unrest in the Uyghur Homeland
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Uyghur men dig for jade at a privately-owned mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China. The average miner, however, earns only 50 RMB ($7) for a long day of labor.
Uyghur men dig for jade at a privately-owned mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China. The average miner, however, earns only 50 RMB ($7) for a long day of labor.
Uyghur men dig for jade at a privately-owned mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China. The average miner, however, earns only 50 RMB ($7) for a long day of labor.
A Uyghur woman digs for jade at a privately-owned mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China.
A Uyghur woman digs for jade at a privately-owned mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China.
Uyghur youth sift rocks while mining for jade at a privately-owned mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China. Jade, a precious stone commonly used by Han Chinese as an amulet, has transformed the Silk Road city of Hotan into a major commercial stone in China's restive northwest region of Xinjiang. The average miner, however, earns only 50 RMB ($7) for a long day of labor.
Uyghur youth sift rocks while mining for jade at a privately-owned mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China. Jade, a precious stone commonly used by Han Chinese as an amulet, has transformed the Silk Road city of Hotan into a major commercial stone in China's restive northwest region of Xinjiang. The average miner, however, earns only 50 RMB ($7) for a long day of labor.
A prospective wholesale buyer watches miners dig for jade.
Two Uyghur women begin their work day at a privately-owned jade mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China.
Uyghur jade dealers inspect stones at a market in a small town near Hotan, China.
Uyghur jade dealers inspect stones at a market in a small town near Hotan, China.
Before beginning his work day, a Uyghur man kisses his newphew at a privately-owned jade mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China. The man said he plans to adopt the child after his sister threatened to sell her own son for 10,000 RMB ($1400).
After a long day of work, Uyghur men pray at a privately-owned jade mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China.
Uyghur men head home after a long day of work at a privately-owned jade mine along the Yurungkax River near Hotan, Xinjiang, China.

Jade, a precious stone commonly used by Han Chinese as an amulet, has transformed the Silk Road city of Hotan into a major commercial center in China's restive northwest region of Xinjiang. Major protests rocked Hotan earlier this year when 500 Uyghur women demonstrated to demand greater self-determination for China's largest Muslim minority group.

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