16/02/2026

New research argues that international pressure pushed China to change course on Uyghur detention camps

Reuters

How did the Chinese authorities respond to growing international pressure over the mass detention of Uyghurs in re-education camps in Xinjiang? This question is examined by our researcher Jan Švec, in his peer-reviewed article published in Modern China.

The study analyses the evolution of China’s policies and official narratives on Xinjiang from 2014 to 2022, focusing on how international scrutiny influenced both rhetorical and practical adjustments. Drawing on process tracing and qualitative analysis of official documents, media outputs, and leaked materials, Švec shows that China’s approach shifted through several distinct phases: from initial experimentation and a lax approach, to concealment, to partial acknowledgment and legalisation of the camps, to their gradual downsizing and partial abandonment. These changes were not driven solely by domestic considerations but were closely linked to mounting international attention.

The article has already attracted international attention and has been covered across several global media. The findings of the study have been discussed by Domino Theory and by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Jan Švec also summarized the findings for The Diplomat.

To what extent can international pressure influence the behaviour of powerful authoritarian states? The full article offers a detailed answer and is available in Modern China.