Urumqi, capital of northwestern Xinjiang province, again brought to standstill 3 Sept as tens of thousands of Han Chinese demonstrated over unconfirmed rumours of syringe stabbings by ethnic Uighur, demanding govt action; govt quickly restored order, said 5 killed; state media reported 75 arrested. Xinjiang authorities 16 Sept claimed to have foiled bomb plot involving 20 explosive devices, indicated suspects Uighur. Beijing 1 Sept announced 2,800 of estimated 37,000 Kokang refugees displaced by Aug Burma violence had returned (see Myanmar/Burma).

Govt announced further 219 arrested early Aug in connection with July’s Xinjiang riots; authorities stated new arrests bring number detained to 718. State media late month reported opening of trials for 200 accused of fomenting the unrest, implied majority of accused are minority Uighur Chinese. Concerns actual number detained considerably higher.

Ethnic tensions erupted into bloody riots 5 July in Urumqi, capital of northwest Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. State media report 197 dead, mostly Han Chinese, 1,721 injured, over 1,500 arrested. Clashes began when police confronted Uighurs leading protest march demanding full govt investigation into 25 June deaths of Uighur factory workers. Chaos returned 7 July when thousands of armed Han rioted through Urumqi. Chinese govt dismissed claims that riots due to long-standing resentment of Han Chinese among Uighurs, said U.S.-based World Uighur Congress leader Rebiya Kadeer masterminded protests.

Dalai Lama envoys headed to Beijing 30 Oct to resume talks held in July; China said only willing to discuss return of Dalai Lama, Tibetans want broader talks including future status of Tibet.

16 paramilitary officers reportedly killed in 4 Aug attack by Uighur Muslims in Kashgar, Xinjiang. Turkistan Islamic Party issued threat against Olympics 7 Aug, warned Muslims to stay away from Games. Several pipe bombs exploded 9 Aug in Kuqacounty, Xinjiang, 2 dead; police claimed they subsequently killed 8 attackers. 3 police killed in knife attack outside Kashgar 12 Aug.

Further talks between govt and Dalai Lama envoys 1-2 July, latter expressed disappointment at lack of progress; more talks agreed for Oct. Security forces claimed 10 July success foiling purported “terrorist” plots against Olympics; 5 Uighur Muslim suspects killed in related crackdown, 82 detained in Xinjiang. China and Russia FMs signed agreement 21 July settling 40-year border dispute.

Tibet reopened to foreign tourists 25 June for first time since March riots as security in region reportedly eased, though armed police deployed to Lhasa streets beginning of month. Govt announced 20 June some 1100 of the 1315 people detained in riots’ wake since released. Beijing announced 12-13 May arrests of 16 Buddhist monks for alleged role in 3 bombings in Tibet in April. Dalai Lama envoys due for talks in Beijing 1-2 July.

Security in Lhasa region relaxed as Jokhang Temple reopened 17 May; monks later disrupted govt- led media tour claiming all 117 monks shut inside since protests began 10 March. Dalai Lama warned 25 May Tibetans “losing faith” with Beijing talks following envoys’ unproductive 4 May meeting in Shenzhen; predicted “serious violence” should 11 June talks, seventh-round, break down.

Lhasa govt 24 Apr warned no tolerance for “excit[ing] popular feelings” in advance of Olympic torch relay passing through region 20 June; security tightened. 30 sentenced 29 Apr for participation in March Lhasa riots; many awaiting trial. State media announced 25 Apr govt will meet with Dalai Lama representative but continued to denounce role in violence. Reports of minor violence in Tibetan areas: attack on Garze govt offices in Donggu township, Sichuan 3 Apr left 1 official seriously injured, Tibetan exile groups said 8 civilians killed; 2 reported killed in Qinghai gun battle between alleged Lhasa rioter, police. 9 Tongxia monks arrested early month after detonating homemade bomb inside local govt offices.

Protests began in Lhasa 10 March marking anniversary of failed 1959 uprising against Chinese government, turned violent 14 March as protestors attacked Han Chinese and Hui Muslims in city. Escalation prompted deployment of thousands of police to region, hundreds of detentions, as unrest spread to Tibetan-populated areas of Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai provinces. Beijing launched propaganda campaign highlighting Tibetan aggression, shut down foreign media access to region. Tibetan government in exile claimed 140 killed in related violence; Beijing said 22. Government admitted shots fired on protesters 16 March in Aba, Sichuan province, killing 4.