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Which two ethnic groups are the largest in Xinjiang?

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Pagoda near Tian Lake — Xinjiang Pagoda close to Tian Lake, Ürümqi, Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China.

The two largest ethnic groups in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China are the Uyghurs and the Han Chinese.1

While the region is home to more than 40 different ethnic groups, the demographic landscape has been significantly shaped by the migration of Han Chinese into the area, particularly following the establishment of firm Chinese control in 1949. This influx has altered the region's population distribution and ethnic composition, contributing to existing ethnic tensions.12