National Flag of East Turkistan
Historical Background
During the start of the 20th century, a Uyghur led national liberation movement began to take shape in East Turkistan which sought to restore the independence of East Turkistan and liberate it from Chinese occupation. After several years of waging a War of National Liberation, this goal was partially realized on November 12, 1933 with the establishment of the Turkic Islamic Republic of East Turkistan (TIRET) (November 12, 1933 – April 16, 1934), in Kashgar. It was on the eve of November 11, 1933 that the sixteen ministers of the TIRET would unanimously accept the Kök Bayraq (Blue Flag), which had been proposed several months earlier by the East Turkistan Independence Association (ETIA), as the national flag of East Turkistan.
The Kök Bayraq [Blue Flag] was also used as the National Flag of the East Turkistan Republic (November 12, 1944 – December 22, 1949). Since the occupation of East Turkistan by the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the flag has been banned by Chinese occupation forces. It continues to remain as symbol of East Turkistan’s national independence and soverignty. It used and accepted unanimously by all East Turkistani/Uyghur organizations across the globe as the official flag of East Turkistan.
Symbolism of East Turkistan’s National Flag
- The blue color (background) is taken from the color of the sky and is a predominant color in Turkic culture that represents freedom, unity, and the eternal sky. It originates from the flag of the Köktürk Khaganate (Empire) and has appeared on the flags of numerous Turkic empires and nation-states throughout history.
- The crescent represents victory, strength, and faith. It reflects both the enduring spirit of the East Turkistani people and their deep-rooted Islamic belief that sustains them in their struggle for justice and freedom.
- The star represents the Turkic nation and its unity. It has appeared on the flags of historic Turkic states, including the White Hun (Hephthalite) Empire.
- The Blue Flag was sanctified by the blood of more than 250,000 martyrs who gave their lives for the liberation and independence of East Turkistan from Chinese occupation. It stands as the symbol of East Turkistan's national identity, independence, and sovereignty.