The changes of international situation in Central Asia, its opening up after the collapse of the USSR, changed greatly foreign policy of the PRC towards this region. The independence of the newly independent Central Asian republics and China#s relationship with them is important for China but of particular significance for Xinjiang. This importance is closely related to the #Uyghur Problem#, including combating the #Three Evil Forces#: terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, on the United States was to have direct and immediate implications for Xinjiang. China condemned there were terrorist groups on the territory of Xinjiang, headed and financed by al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.