How has the Chinese government attempted to decrease the Uighur population?

• A. It enforced birth control measures, including forced sterilizations and family planning policies targeting Uighurs.
• B. It provided incentives for larger families among Uighurs.
• C. It promoted unrestricted cross-border movement.
• D. It encouraged rapid natural population growth.

Answer: (A)

This question centers on how state policy can shape the size of a minority population through population management. The reasoning is that the government has pursued birth-planning and related controls in Xinjiang, aiming to limit births among Uighurs. Reports and analyses describe coercive elements such as forced sterilizations and stringent family-planning policies targeting Uighur communities. These actions are designed to decrease the population by reducing fertility, which is why this option is the best fit.

The other ideas would not reduce numbers: incentives for larger families would raise birth rates, while promoting unrestricted cross-border movement or encouraging rapid natural growth would not systematically lower the population in the region.