[LarryLied]

Any historians out there know of major battles between China and the Islamic hordes?

[Cleburne]

The Uighurs, the Muslim people in question, had maintained a nation seperate from China (though under Mongolian rule for a while) for a couple thousand years, until the 18th century. The re-established their autonomy during the civil war, but were defeated by Communist forces and absorbed into the Communist state. Thus, the movement there today is more nationalist than radical Islamic, but radicals are growing in popularity. The state's abortion stance is of course deeply resented by the ethnic Uighurs, as is the state's attempts to shut down religious schooling. China has a vested interest there, though, as most of her oil supplies are contained in the region. One needs oil supplies in your country in case of, er, "emergency".