World

Uighur China Riots Censored, 156 Dead

by Rob Walker | July 6, 2009 at 05:33 am

1621 views | 48 Recommendations | 7 comments

Uighur riots in China's Xinjian district is being reported in Chinese media, yet the government is still pulling videos and restricting coverage available. The government is blaming ethnic Uighurs for terrorising Han Chinese in the region.

So far at least 156 people are reported to have been killed and over 800 injured during the protests. Hundreds more have been arrested by Chinese security forces.

Videos show crowds attempting to overturn a police car and throwing stones at security forces. Vehicles have been set on fire and two women are shown covered in blood.

Youtube is still difficult to access in China, and the Chinese version of Twitter, Fanfou.com, hasn't been blocked but searches for 'xinjian' 'urumqi' and 'riots' return no results.

Several hundred people have been arrested over riots in China's restive Xinjiang region, according to state media, as the official death toll from the violence reached 140.

At least 140 people were killed and 828 others injured in riots that erupted in the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Sunday night, officials said Monday.

The scenes of violence on television show the crowds attempting to overturn a police car and throwing stones at the security forces. Vehicles are on fire.
Two women, both Han Chinese, are shown looking on in shock. Both have blood on their hands.

4 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Roy C

at 12:03 on July 6th, 2009

Like it means anything, the "concern". Sorry, Obama doesn't get it.Obama gets why some people riot and revolt, but only subjectively, that is, from his own perspective as someone with rage himself.

What he does not get is how that rage is getting stoked against himself with his real lack of performance, the non-use of what appeared to be an exceptional intelligence.

Who does get it is Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China.

Chapter 2 is entitled, "The Discontent of the People is Explosive".

albertacowpoke

at 08:21 on July 6th, 2009

Interestingly enough, President Obama was asked about this during his Press Conference in Russia. He said that he had traveled all night and hadn't been briefed on it.

Barbara McPherson

at 09:38 on July 6th, 2009

One of the news reports(CNN) said that the spark that touched off the protest was the deaths of two Uighur's in a brawl at a toy factory across the country. Thanks for posting this.

albertacowpoke

at 11:52 on July 6th, 2009

The White House just released a statement that says: The White House is deeply concerned over the violence in China.

PANYUNHE (not verified)

at 19:48 on July 6th, 2009

I AM A CHINESE I FEEL SO SORRY ABOUT THAT I HOPE CHINA GOVERMENT WILL SOLVE IT !

Fov

at 20:49 on July 6th, 2009

It's a big disaster in civilization world,i express my deeply mourning to those victims here.

I'd like to know why government is so affirmed insurgence was provoked or incited by anti-China group,i hope to see exact evidence as soon as possible.meanwhile appeal for government let xinjiang be open for foreign media!