Asia-Pacific News
US expresses concern over violence in Chinese province
Jul 6, 2009, 20:54 GMT
Washington - The United States on Monday called for restraint after clashes in China's Xinjiang region left at least 140 people dead.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement that the circumstances behind the violence remained unclear but urged both sides to exercise calm.
'We are deeply concerned over reports of many deaths and injuries from violence,' Gibbs said.
The clashes took place between ethnic minority Uighurs, the majority Han and police. The rioting began after Uighurs staged a protest on Sunday.
The Muslim Uighurs seek independence from China. There are about a dozen Uighurs who remain in US custody at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The United States has said they are eligible for release but has struggled to find countries willing to host them.
Washington has rebuffed Beijing's demands to return the Uighur prisoners to China, fearing they could be mistreated.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
