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New protests in western China New protests in western China
(about 2 hours later)
Fresh protests have been reported in the province of Xinjiang in western China, where almost 200 people were killed in ethnic violence in July. There have been fresh protests in western China's Xinjiang region, where almost 200 people were killed in ethnic violence in July.
Hundreds of ethnic Han Chinese are thought to be holding demonstrations in the capital, Urumqi. A witness told the BBC that as many as 2,000 ethnic Han Chinese have been demonstrating in the capital Urumqi.
Members of the city's Han community last held mass protests shortly after July's violence by ethnic Uighurs. The protesters are said to be angry at the deteriorating security situation in the wake of the July riots.
It was the worst ethnic unrest in China for decades; at least 197 people died and another 1,700 were injured. A trigger for the protests appears to have been a spate of unexplained stabbings using hypodermic needles.
State-run news agency Xinhua said that 15 people had been arrested over the stabbings and that four of them had been prosecuted and would receive their judgements soon.
July's violence was the worst ethnic unrest in China for decades; at least 197 people died and hundreds injured.
The government says most of the dead were Han, but the exile activist group the World Uighur Congress claims many Uighurs were also killed.The government says most of the dead were Han, but the exile activist group the World Uighur Congress claims many Uighurs were also killed.
'Stabbings' Members of the city's Han community last held mass protests shortly after July's violence by ethnic Uighurs.
A businessman in Urumqi told the BBC that members of the Han community were holding their demonstration to complain about the worsening security situation. Safety fears
State media reported that 15 people were arrested in Urumqi for allegedly stabbing people with hypodermic syringes. A businessman in Urumqi told the BBC that members of the Han community were demonstrating to complain about the worsening security situation.
"Han Chinese people have been protesting in the streets since yesterday," he said.
"Nearly everyone in Urumqi is on strike or protesting. Right now in front of me there are at least 2,000 people," he said from the centre of Urumqi.
Another resident said Han Chinese were concerned for their safety in the wake of the reported syringe attacks.
"The local government is not doing enough to protect Han people there... I am really [worried about] my family and relatives there. I urge [the] Chinese government should do more to prevent this," the resident told the BBC.
Xinhua news agency said the stabbing victims came from nine ethnic groups, including Uighurs and Han.Xinhua news agency said the stabbing victims came from nine ethnic groups, including Uighurs and Han.
Shops and vehicles were destroyed in July's riotingShops and vehicles were destroyed in July's rioting
Other residents contacted by the Associated Press news agency said protesters were denouncing the regional government and had been blocked by police from marching on People's Square in the city's centre. Protesters have accused the provincial government of being "useless", and some even asked for the dismissal of regional Communist Party boss Wang Lequan, who is thought to be an ally of President Hu Jintao.
Large numbers of police were reported to have turned out to block the protesters from reaching People's Square in the city centre.
There has been tension for many years between Xinjiang's Uighur and Han communities.There has been tension for many years between Xinjiang's Uighur and Han communities.
Some Uighurs complain that Han migration into the province has diluted their culture and influence.Some Uighurs complain that Han migration into the province has diluted their culture and influence.
Han currently account for roughly 40% of Xinjiang's population, while about 45% are Uighurs.Han currently account for roughly 40% of Xinjiang's population, while about 45% are Uighurs.
The tensions exploded in early July after an initially peaceful protest by Uighur youths, apparently prompted by an earlier riot in a factory in southern China.The tensions exploded in early July after an initially peaceful protest by Uighur youths, apparently prompted by an earlier riot in a factory in southern China.
In the outbreak of violence, shops were smashed and vehicles set alight and passers-by set upon by rioters.
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