Traffic curfew lifted, tension remains in Urumqi

Armed police patrol on a road in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on July 8, 2009. The city has lifted a traffic curfew on Wednesday morning, which began on 9:00 p.m. Tuesday.(Xinhua/Sadat) Photo Gallery>>>

    URUMQI, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Urumqi appeared to be calm under heavy paramilitary police presence Wednesday after an overnight traffic curfew, but sporadic standoffs and clashes were still reported.

    Although the so-called "comprehensive traffic curfew" has ended, traffic restrictions were imposed in some major streets, with members of the Armed Police guarding or patrolling. Armored personnel carriers stood by. Full story

 Urumqi Riot