BEIJING – China has vowed a years-long security clampdown on the Muslim-majority western region of Xinjiang to prevent a repeat of last year's ethnic unrest.
"Urumqi faces an arduous fight against separatism now and for years to come, after last year's riots," mayor Jerla Isamudinhe said in a government report to a municipal People's Congress session, reported Xinhua news agency Friday, February 5.
Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, was plunged into turmoil in July after thousands of Uighurs protested prevailing discrimination and religious and cultural controls.
Nearly 200 people were killed and 1,600 wounded in ethnic clashes and a massive crackdown launched by the security forces.
China has sentenced at least 22 Uighurs over the riots in mock trials condemned by international rights groups.
Earlier this week, the government announced a plan to recruit 5,000 special police officers in Xinjiang "to help prevent unrest."
Xinjiang and its Uighur Muslims, a Turkish-speaking minority of more than eight million, continue to be the subject of massive security crackdowns.
They accuse the government of settling millions of ethnic Han in their territory with the ultimate goal of obliterating its identity and culture.
Beijing views the vast region as an invaluable asset because of its crucial strategic location near Central Asia and its large oil and gas reserves.
Grim
The mayor argued that the clampdown is also meant to prevent separatist drives in the far western region.
"We should be vigilant and high-handed in our fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism," he said.
"We should stop all sabotage activities and attempts beforehand."
Beijing blamed the riots, as it does with most violence or protests in Xinjiang, on separatist groups seeking an independent East Turkistan.
Beijing claims some of these groups have links to Al-Qaeda, something disputed by many exiles and rights activists.
Isamudinhe said the government would keep a closer eye on sensitive areas to help maintain social stability.
"We'll continue to promote unity among different ethnic groups across the city, and help build up trust and respect among different walks of life," he said.
"In particular, we'll step up with ethnic unity education at schools."
China's Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu on Wednesday warned of a "grim" outlook in Xinjiang, calling on security forces to face the situation with "a more tenacious style".
"Urumqi faces an arduous fight against separatism now and for years to come, after last year's riots," mayor Jerla Isamudinhe said in a government report to a municipal People's Congress session, reported Xinhua news agency Friday, February 5.
Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, was plunged into turmoil in July after thousands of Uighurs protested prevailing discrimination and religious and cultural controls.
Nearly 200 people were killed and 1,600 wounded in ethnic clashes and a massive crackdown launched by the security forces.
China has sentenced at least 22 Uighurs over the riots in mock trials condemned by international rights groups.
Earlier this week, the government announced a plan to recruit 5,000 special police officers in Xinjiang "to help prevent unrest."
Xinjiang and its Uighur Muslims, a Turkish-speaking minority of more than eight million, continue to be the subject of massive security crackdowns.
They accuse the government of settling millions of ethnic Han in their territory with the ultimate goal of obliterating its identity and culture.
Beijing views the vast region as an invaluable asset because of its crucial strategic location near Central Asia and its large oil and gas reserves.
Grim
The mayor argued that the clampdown is also meant to prevent separatist drives in the far western region.
"We should be vigilant and high-handed in our fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism," he said.
"We should stop all sabotage activities and attempts beforehand."
Beijing blamed the riots, as it does with most violence or protests in Xinjiang, on separatist groups seeking an independent East Turkistan.
Beijing claims some of these groups have links to Al-Qaeda, something disputed by many exiles and rights activists.
Isamudinhe said the government would keep a closer eye on sensitive areas to help maintain social stability.
"We'll continue to promote unity among different ethnic groups across the city, and help build up trust and respect among different walks of life," he said.
"In particular, we'll step up with ethnic unity education at schools."
China's Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu on Wednesday warned of a "grim" outlook in Xinjiang, calling on security forces to face the situation with "a more tenacious style".
