Migration of the Population from the Ili Region to the Russian Empire after the Ili Crisis (Based on Materials from the Newspaper “Eastern Review”)

The Ili crisis in Russian-Chinese relations led to the intensification of migration processes in the region. The local population was seriously concerned about the consequences of the presence of Qing troops after the departure of the Russians. A significant part of the population began to emigrate to the Russian Empire. According to the Russian-Chinese agreements, during the established period, the population of Ili had the opportunity to choose citizenship of the Russian or Qing Empire. The purpose of the study is the migration movement from the Ili region to the Russian Empire after the Ili crisis represented on the pages of the newspaper “Eastern Review”. Migration from the Ili region had a number of peculiarities: the population left for Russia for permanent residence, and the migration took place within a limited time frame. Against the background of an increase in the Chinese military contingent in the region and the migration of Uighur farmers from the region, the food issue worsened, leading to numerous clashes and conflicts. The correspondents of the Eastern Review provide very detailed information not only about the resettlement process, expressing sympathy towards the peoples of the Ili region, but also described the problems of interaction between the Russian and Chinese authorities in the region.