Since the late 1980s, China has adopted an economic development strategy (EDS) to invest in the Uyghur economic well-being in exchange for obedience. Despite this, the conflicts have become more frequent. Under the framework of "Sons of the Soil" conflicts and Feminist Political Economy, one finds a causal relation between gendered employment and migratory patterns resulting from the EDS, and the escalation of Uyghur-Han conflicts. Between the late 1980s and mid-2000s, EDS policies attracted male-dominated Han in-migration to Xinjiang. Influenced by gender biases, Xinjiang locals viewed these migrants as threats to their economic and personal security. This aggravates grievances against the Han-dominant ruling. Since the mid-2000s, EDS policies have caused an out-flow of Uyghur women from Xinjiang, leaving Uyghur men behind. This has challenged the patriarchal values and order among the Uyghur and thereby contributed to the conflicts.