Tasks and Character of "Neutrality" Policy of Chinese Province of Xinjiang in Regard to the Events in Russia in 1917-1920

The October Revolution, the change of power and a prolonged period of instability made their adjustments of trading and economic relations between Russia and the largest Chinese province of Xinjiang. In particular, the Chinese party stopped following the main clauses of Petersburg Treaty of 1881. Frankly speaking, it should be noted that Soviet Russia either didn't follow all the previous agreements with China. At the same time we should underline that the agreement obligations on the territory of Russia were violated both by the Bolsheviks and by the White Guards. Taking these circumstances into consideration and being really afraid of spreading the ideas of bolshevism throughout the territory of the province the dutszyun (governor) of Xinjiang Jan Tszesin declared the "neutrality" policy in regard to the opposing forces in Russia after the beginning of the Civil War there. Having declared the "neutrality" to the events in Russia Jan Tszesin didn't deny comparatively active political dialogues with the representatives of both opposing sides. The trading operations were also fulfilled both by the representatives of the Soviet Power and by their rivals in the name of Temporary Siberian and later on by Kolchak's governments. The deviation from the declared "neutrality" policy in regard to the events in Russia had been marked just since its declaration by the governor of the province in 1917 - 1920. This policy allowed Xinjiang to stay apart from large scale military events and continue trading operations with Russia, with both opposing parties, by the way. It gave Soviet Russia, especially the population of the frontier territories cut from the centre and controlled both by the Bolsheviks and by the White Guards in certain periods, the opportunity to get food and industrial goods.

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