CPC steps up security in Xinjiang

The order for the patrols by the People’s Armed Police was issued by the ruling Communist Party’s top law enforcement official,Meng Jianzhu,at an emergency meeting late Saturday in Xinjiang’s regional capital,Urumqi. The action came just days ahead of the July 5 anniversary of a 2009 riot between Xinjiang’s native Uighur people and Han Chinese migrants in the city that left nearly 200 people dead.

Troops must patrol in all weather conditions,“raise their visibility,maintain a deterrent threat and strengthen the public’s sense of security,’’ Meng said,according to a notice posted to the Public Security Ministry’s website.

While the region is basically at peace,“the determination of the ‘three forces’ at home and abroad to create chaos in our Xinjiang remains alive and they are taking every opportunity to devise and carry out activities to make trouble and sow destruction,’’ Meng said. The three forces is China’s standard term for anti-government foes representing separatism,terrorism and religious extremism.