Pledge to stem violence, mass incidents in Xinjiang

The government head of far-western China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Tuesday pledged to stem acts of terrorism and serious violent attacks.

Nur Bekri, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, told a congressional gathering in the regional capital, Urumqi, that his government will also work unswervingly to prevent mass incidents.

The official said, while religious freedom is to be upheld, the government will continue to crack down on illegal religious activities and acts of crime under the disguise of religion.

He said social services for migrants and marginal groups will be strengthened.

The comment came after police shot dead seven kidnappers during a hostage rescue in the mountainous border county of Pishan in late December. The authorities described the suspects as a group of "violent terrorists."