WASHINTGTON, D.C., July 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged restraint by all in China's Xinjing-Uighur region in the wake of deadly ethnic riots in the capital Urumqi.
The appeal by Clinton, who will visit South and East Asia next week, was the highest-level one thus far by the United States on the situation in China, Voice of America reported.
"We are trying to sort out, as best we can the facts and circumstances from the region," the secretary was quoted as saying Tuesday. "And we're calling on all sides to exercise restraint."
Chinese authorities have themselves described last Sunday's violence in Urumqi as the worst casualty-ridden ethnic violence since Communist rule was established in the country in 1949. At least 156 people died and more than 1,000 were injured.
The region is home to Muslim Uighurs, who resent being ruled by Han Chinese and tensions between them have simmered for years.
Chinese authorities have blamed the exile World Uighur Congress in Munich, Germany and its leader Rebiya Kadeer for masterminding the violence but the group has denied it and condemned what it called a Chinese crackdown against its people.
"We know there's a long history of tension and discontent, but the most immediate matter is to bring the violence to a conclusion," VOA quoted Clinton as saying.
The U.S. State Department brought up the situation in China with visiting Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, the U.S. network said.
VOA also reported Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, attributed the violence to harsh policies in Xinjiang. She was quoted as urging Chinese leaders to pursue dialog and understanding with the Muslims in western China and to respect minority rights.
State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly Tuesday declined comment on the Chinese accusation relating to WUC and Kadeer.
