(Asia Times-Hong Kong) David Goldman - China has been Saudi Arabia's largest oil customer as well as a provider of sophisticated weapons. But China has lost patience with the monarchy's support for Wahhabi Islamists in China. According to a senior Chinese analyst, the Saudis are the main source of funding for Islamist madrassas in Western China, where the "East Turkistan Independence Movement" has launched several large-scale terror attacks. The Saudi government either can't or won't stop some members of the royal family from channeling funds to Chinese jihadis. "Our biggest worry in the Middle East isn't oil - it's Saudi Arabia," the analyst said. Thousands of Chinese Uyghurs have made their way into Southeast Asia with financial assistance from Saudi supporters and logistical support - including passports - from local Turkish consulates. Chinese Uyghurs were implicated in the bombing of Bangkok's Erawan Temple last August, and have linked up with ISIS supporters in Indonesia. Turkey reported last month that most jihadists crossing its border into Syria to join ISIS are Chinese Muslims.
2016-01-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive