156 Dead, 1000s Arrested in China Riots

Paramilitary Police Brutally Crack Down on Muslims Minority Protesters; Riots Reportedly Spread to Second City

(CBS/AP)  Last update 9:22 p.m. ET.

China's state news agency says police have arrested 1,434 suspects in connection with the worst ethnic violence in decades in the western Xinjiang region, which killed at least 156 people.

Xinhua News Agency did not immediately give any further details Tuesday.

In Urumqui, where the riots took place Sunday, hundreds of paramilitary police chanted "Strike down the criminals" and wielded shields, rifles and clubs as they took control of the streets Monday in the capital of western China's Muslim region

Mobile phone service and the social networking site Twitter have been blocked, and Internet links have been cut or slowed down.

The unrest began after 1,000 to 3,000 protesters - mostly students - gathered downtown at the People's Square and protested the June 25 deaths of Uighur factory workers killed in a riot in southern China. Xinhua said two died; others say the real figure was higher.

The 156 deaths, reported by state media did not bode well for China's efforts to mollify long-simmering ethnic tensions between the minority Uighur people and the ethnic Han Chinese in Xinjiang - a sprawling region three times the size of Texas that shares borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries.

As darkness fell, security forces became especially tense and ordered residents off the roads near the main gate at Xinjiang University - the scene of some of the worst clashes Sunday.

As people watched from an apartment building across from the school, riot police in green camouflage uniforms and helmets pointed long sticks at the gawkers and barked, "Close those windows!"

The government often says the Uighurs should be grateful for the roads, railways, schools, hospitals and oil fields it has been building in Xinjiang, a region known for scorching deserts and snowy mountain ranges.

Many Uighurs (pronounced WEE-gers) haven't been wooed by the rapid economic development. Some want independence, while others feel they're being marginalized in their homeland. The Han - China's ethnic majority - have been flooding into Xinjiang as the region becomes more developed.

A similar situation exists in Tibet, where a violent protest last year left many Tibetan communities living under clamped-down security ever since.

"The Han Chinese say we all belong to the same country. We're all part of one big family," said Memet, a restaurant worker who like other Uighurs declined to give his full name because he feared the police. "But the Han always treat us separately."

A Han Chinese shopkeeper, who only gave his surname Wang because the ethnic issue is so sensitive, disagreed. "Those who cause such trouble are criminals," he said. "They're never happy with what they have."

Sunday's violence was notable because it happened in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, which has been relatively peaceful and hasn't been a hotbed of religious or political agitation. In other restive Xinjiang cities, red propaganda banners are filled with slogans encouraging ethnic harmony. But most of the banners in Urumqi touted anti-drug and fire prevention campaigns.

The population of 2.3 million is also overwhelmingly Han Chinese in the city, a mixture of drab concrete apartment blocks and gleaming new office towers.

"There were several hundred people who marched past my shop. I didn't feel threatened. They were peaceful and chanting, 'Uighurs will be victorious,"' said a convenience store clerk who only gave her surname, Zhang, of the People's Square protest.

Poor quality amateur video purportedly showed a surging crowd of hundreds running through traffic. It was shot from an upper floor of a building and was posted on YouTube.

The police eventually showed up in force, and it's unclear who struck first.

Rioters began flipping over barricades, smashing shop windows and burning cars, according to media and witness accounts. Glass still littered the sidewalks and streets that were eerily quiet Monday because most shops and office buildings were closed. A white car being towed away was splattered with blood, and there was a large red stain on the stone steps of a hotel in the biggest Uighur district.

State television video showed protesters attacking and kicking people on the ground, and the government said many Han Chinese were injured by rampaging Uighurs.

In the video, people who appeared to be Han Chinese sat dazed with blood pouring down their faces.

There was little immediate explanation for how so many people died

There were no independent figures on the ethnic breakdown of the casualties, but many were believed to be Uighurs.

Wu Nong, director of the news office of the Xinjiang provincial government, said 828 people were wounded, more than 260 vehicles were attacked or set on fire, and 203 shops were damaged.

Memet, the 36-year-old restaurant worker, said he saw People's Armed Police attack Uighur students outside Xinjiang University.

"First they fired tear gas at the students. Then they started beating them and shooting them with bullets. Big trucks arrived, and students were rounded up and arrested," he said.

Chinese officials singled out the leader of the U.S.-based Uyghur American Association - Rebiya Kadeer, a former prominent Xinjiang businesswoman now living in Washington - for inciting the violence.

"Rebiya had phone conversations with people in China on July 5 in order to incite, and Web sites ... were used to orchestrate the incitement and spread propaganda," Xinjiang Gov. Nur Bekri said Monday on television.

Xinjiang's top Communist Party official, Wang Lequan, said: "We must tear away Rebiya's mask and let the world see her true nature."

Kadeer said Monday that she had learned through Web sites of the planned protests and called her brother to urge him and other family members to stay away.

"The Chinese government always blames me and the World Uyghur Congress for problems over there," Kadeer said in Washington, D.C. "Any Uighur who dares to express the slightest protest, however peaceful, is dealt with by brutal force."

While she blamed the government for the recent violence, she also condemned "the violent actions of some of the Uighur demonstrators" and said her organization only supports peaceful protests.

"China's violent crackdown in Xinjiang is based, in part, on China's allegation that the some of the Uighurs are associated with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which was designated by both the U.N. and the U.S. as an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization," said CBS News Foreign Affairs Analyst Pamela Falk, from Beijing. "That is why there was so much sensitivity about what to do with the 17 Uighur detainees who had been held in Guantanamo."

Falk reports that the region has been on the radar of the U.S. and the U.N. for more than a decade, "because of the mix of terrorist organizations stoking violence, on the one hand, and the religious freedom issues of the Chinese Muslim community, on the other."

"And although there has been violence in the past in the far western region of China, the scope of the fighting is larger and unexpected at a time when President Hu Jintao is out of the country, promoting the strength of the Chinese economy," Falk added.

Witnesses reported a new, smaller protest Monday in a second city, Kashgar, home to the Id Kah Mosque, the biggest in Xinjiang.

In Urumqi, most Han Chinese stayed indoors and many Han taxi drivers refused to drive into Uighur neighborhoods, where the air was filled with the scent of lamb kebabs cooking over long grills. Although more Uighurs were on the streets, they said they were worried about being picked up by police, who were still arresting protest suspects.

"I went outside last night and saw all the chaos and went back inside," said a Uighur office worker who only gave her given name, Guli. "I heard a lot of gunfire. Then today, the police were questioning people and visiting homes.

"My biggest fear is that I'll say the wrong thing to the police, and then it will be all over for me," Guli said, making a throat-slashing gesture with her hand.

Hundreds of paramilitary police sealed off a wide boulevard in front of the university, where witnesses said scores of protesters were killed. They chanted, "Strike down criminals, uphold the law." In the evening, they dispersed crowds of Uighurs by yelling, "For your own safety, go home."

As a middle-aged Uighur woman shuffled away, she said sarcastically under her breath, "It's always safety first here."

The paramilitary police then began marching through the empty streets in Uighur neighborhoods in tight columns with an armored troop carrier following them. The security forces were all Han Chinese, and some Uighurs rolled their eyes or made funny faces after the police walked by chanting, "Let's protect Xinjiang!"

[cbsnews_viewer]

China has 1.3 billion people. It is such a balancing act for the 21st Century. We are seeing such conflict with advancement because it is not coming with fast social advancement. These riots really seems to be a pattern. We are seeing more racial/ethnic problems in China than in the United States, and that is a fact. (Even if you divide the amount of deaths by population) The english-writing overseas Chinese are quick to defend "China" over a type of Nationalistic loyalty (example Jackie Chan) but I think the events on the ground are really beyond them. The word Mandarian has always meant a type of ethnic caste system of haves and have-nots. I guess its their battle-over- civil-rights to win. It took the United States so many years to confront, but it should be a lesson if Han Chinese don't treat others right, there eventually will be consequences.
Problem is the history of China, or any country with poverty, has shown overpopulation and conflict will grind a nation down, and I don't think that really helps.

[wcreader]

Re-send: It is so sad and shock to see so many innocence Chinese citizen, woman, and children got killed or got injured in the street riot of Xinjiang by the extremer and terrorist group, whom are funded and operate in US and outside China. These groups are the so called ?freedom fighter? and ?peaceful protest? by some bias media, like Associated Press/CBS. Caught by camera and video, those who kill look more like terrorists than the peaceful demonstrator describe by AP/CBS. Really sick and unfortunate. It seems that AP/CBS are still live in the extreme view and logic of 1960s old cold war: that is, ?evil China? , Thus all the killing are justify, thus, all the violet and terrorist act of the extreme groups to kill other innocent human beings is OK? Shame on CBS/AP! Shouldn?t every human being regardless of ethnic groups be protected by law, Should Professional journalists purely report the fact. Not being a speaker some extreme special interest group. Who kill the 140 innocent human being? Police or extremer and terrorist group? Should AP/CBS get the logic right, I am disappointed CBS to allow such a bias extreme report to be posted.

The extremer and the terrorists should be arrested ASAP to face the fair justices of the law.

Our prayers are to all the innocent citizens, women, children, police officers, and all the victims regardless his or her ethnic group as they are all human being. May peace and comfort be with them and their families!

[wcreader]

It is so sad and shock to see so many innocence Chinese citizen (not Han, difference from CBS/AP had reported), woman, and children got killed or injure in the street Xinjiang by the extremer and terrorist group funded and operate in US and outside China. This group is the so called ?freedom fighter? and ?peaceful protest? by many bias western media, like Associated Press/CBS, really sick and unfortunate. It seems that it is using 1960s old cold war logic of ?evil China? believe to view and to justify all the violet and terrorist act of the extreme group to kill other innocent human beings? No matter they are Han or other ethnic groups, their life and safety should be protected. Shame on CBS/AP. Professional journalists should not be just selective, bias reporting news base on special interest group and extreme terrorist group.

The extremer and the terrorists should be arrested ASAP to face the fair justices of the law.

Our prayers are to all the innocent citizens, women, children, police officers, and all the victims regardless his or her ethnic group as they are all human being. May peace and comfort be with them and their families!

[tautomer]

Obama was "very concerned", but didn't do or say squat. Oh..and he's "watching"!!

Iraq, Iran, Somalia, N Korea, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, man-o-man, Obama's gettin in DEEP. Two bad he already blew those 3 Trillion bucks!!!!

[thusspokezara]

Our President is not only "very concerned", he is also "bearing witness" and "waiting to see how things play themselves out." At this point, there is nothing else he can reasonably do. You must be one of those "bitter Bible clutching yahoos from eastern Pennsylvania" that he reefered to at his excellent fundraiser in LA during the campaign.

[tautomer]

Nope, I'm just not big on going 3 Trillion in the hole with Obama. He's blowing $70 Billion a month on his Military Machine that does nothing.

Obama spends more in a month on the US military than the Russians do in a year! So why is he sorking Putin's Dick? Ditto, Chavez and his Marxist buddies.

[stn_sage]

Well, when you're President of the United States, one does tend to get involved, or is required to interact upon, matters to do with other nations!

IF you're a smart president, you interact through diplomacy, relying on cautious steps and actions!

IF you're an idiot president, you interact abruptly, relying on reckless steps and actions!

For you right-wing extremists, isn't TWO wars occurring simultaneously enough for you guys? Do you really think we need THREE or FOUR?!

Are you really that dumb?! I know it would give you a lot of emotional
satisfaction if Mr. Obama would mess up by involving us in additional
wars, but it will be somebody else---not YOU---that pays a price in lost life (lives), shattered hopes, and wasted dreams!

Be careful what you ask for, because if we get in another war, they'll probably HAVE TO bring back the draft, due to other problems, they couldn't afford to maintain the volunteer military, and some of you young, gungho 'sunshine patriot' Repubs, WILL get drafted!

And, you might find that your opinions drastically change---and fast, too!

[darthcheney345]

How long before the riots start here in the USA?

[debinok1]

The way things are going everywhere else in the world, it may not be long.

[thusspokezara]

Riots? I don't think there will be riots. However, anybody thinking of rioting should consult the classic book: "The Joys of Rioting" by Franz Fanon. Here are some helpful hints. 1. Plan ahead. 2. Location. Location. Location. 3. Do not speak to reporters from Fox News. 4. Make sure the mayor is not a Republican. 5. Diversify. Diversify. Diversify. 6. Practice random acts of kindness. 7. Wait your turn. 8. make sure to take a lighter, rope, a brick, and a sharp knife. 9. Smile and waive if caught on camera. You have nothing to be ashamed of. It is just another form of affirmative action. 10. If you beat somebody, make sure you knock them senseless so that they won't be able to pick you out of a line up.

[pepperwood2]

Scores killed in China protests - The BBC's Chris Hogg says violence comparable to Tiananmen Square

Violence in China's restive western region of Xinjiang has left at least 140 people dead and more than 800 people injured, state media say.

This isn't Honduras so I know what BO & his Brilliant SOS will say to the Press, in a couple of days or weeks, to China. This is a Chinese problem & the Chinese will have to take care of this themselves. We hear, see, or do nothing. They won't be able to blame US. End of statement. So sad!

[Sloughfoot]

Wrong-Islamic militants (Uighurs same-same Islamic terrorist trainees from Gitmo and captured in training camp in Afghanistan) unfortunately China has to confront them within her borders, in her villages on her streets. As long as our military can keep them pinned down in Central Asia you won't have to meet one face to face. I can tell by your writing that you will not be in any hurry to go meet one face to face in Afghanistan.

[stupa1]

by antoniof123 July 6, 2009 7:16 AM PDT
stupa1 it is their country and they can run it any way they want. The majority rule even here. Your argument hold no water.

If you believe what the HAN Chinese commies do against human rights to the peoples china don't effect the rest of the world
than you hust be a blind moron Chinese commie sympathizer!

[Sloughfoot]

Hey stupa1, can you enumerate some of the "human rights". Don't confuse rights with freedoms- Rights you have, Freedom is paid for in "Blood".

[ajjaxtheleast]

Get fichael the muck outta here!!!,,,,

Thank you,,,

Repubs not thinking long term?,,,
In trying to turn their wet dream of bombing Iran
into reality they pressured obama into blasting Iran
hoping to get everyone mad enough to create the
mandate to do so,

But here the Chinese have outdone Ahmadinejad ten-fold
and now Obama must react to their killing of protesters.

Which could put a hold on repub dreams,,,,

If obama doesn't condemn China it will look like
a double standard and make Ahmadinejad look really
not that bad,,,

If Obama does react and with an appropriate responce to
the worse handling of much the same situation that
faced Iran by China Obama would be messing with the people
who now own the bombs that allow our fun-time killing
of other countries' citizens,,,,and Ahmadinejad might
actually begin to look like the good guy,,

Repubs cant have it both ways,,,,,well,,a lot of them
can and do,,,but SOME repubs cant have it both ways.

[ajjaxtheleast]

You have to admit though a coup, a Uighur as top-dog-
commie re-setting the intreast on our wars-debt
loans may just be what's needed to put a crimp
in our militarily stomping through one
country after another.

140 and rising makes Ahmadinejad look like
a precinct captain on a NY city night shift.

Obama doesn't need repubs to put him on the spot
Condemning Iran for killing 17 of it's protesters
now has the spotlight right on himself,,,,

Double standard about to be exposed???

[rynjny]

last time i checked, the 140 death are mostly killed by the protester. Ppl please get ur info right before blogging. idiots

[clancy49]

I wonder why we Americans do not protest.

[darthcheney345]

President Obama is "watching very very intensely."

So he can learn how to do the same thing when the riots start here.

[quotelawrence]

yes these poor people that work as slaves have America to thank, as we are taking our manufacturing to China in support of their poor standards, and the result is that our standards are starting to resemble theirs filth, corruption and graft here in America. all of the Chinese are migrating here anyway, and they bring all of their failed social structure and attitudes. We in America should remember why people wanted to be Americans "freedom", not a house, car, dream. Freedom, we are now living in a country of privileges, and they can be removed.

[Sloughfoot]

Ignorance is bliss. If you would quit buying those Chinese goods they would close those factories and free those slaves. They then could return to being hunters and gathers, hmmm, good idea you have there. Same would happen in Afghanistan if we could get the world to quit buying poppy products. You just might be smarter then you let on.

[sanseh]

The same religious warfare going on for the last thousands of years. Little by little they gain control either mass multipling and by war, down with the enviroment and world as their religion wishes to subdue nature and science. This religious plague is serious infections and must be wiped out to save humanity.

[jms_cheung]

Xinjiang province is a part of China, and it is absurd to allow the ethnic Uighurs to become an INDEPENDENT Islamic nation. It is like New Orleans in the US demanding an Independent Black Nation ...to get out of the USA. It is right and proper for the China government to deal harshly to crush all independent movements..so that peace and stability will prevail for all peoples, be they Han or Uighurs.

[stupa1]

The ruling Han Chinese commies are Borg as in startrek...you will assimilate or else...
XingXiang province is also home to 25 million muslims.
who were dictated to in 1987 to have one child or else!
Ya want want a bunch of officials inthe US telling us how many kids to have!
You commies are afraid of anybody or group who have their own identity & beliefs, like the Tibetans..all you want to do is put a strangle hold on their throat...
Mr Cheung go crawl back in your commie hole & put a lid on it!
I been to Urumchi in XInXiang & know how you commies work...

[Kuei1248]

I think the world is pretty much fed up with the Islamic people. They think they can just stroll into any area they want and wipe everybody else out. Time to get down to business. And I think most american people would be more than happy to to put all bleack people in New Orleans, write it off, and barricade it off in anticipation of the next major hurricane.

[antoniof123]

stupa1 it is their country and they can run it any way they want. The majority rule even here. Your argument hold no water.

[Kuei1248]

"Ya want want a bunch of officials inthe US telling us how many kids to have! "

YES! DEFINITELY! Americans obviously have no self control and I am tired of supporting all the welfare babies with my paycheck!