Violence in China's Xinjiang 'kills 27'

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

Riots have killed 27 people in China's restive far western region of Xinjiang, Chinese state media report.

The incident happened in Turpan prefecture early on Wednesday.

Police opened fire after a mob armed with knives attacked police stations and a local government building, Xinhua news agency quoted officials as saying.
...
Seventeen people, including nine security personnel and eight civilians, were killed before police shot dead 10 of the rioters, it said.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23050288

[bemildred]

1. I do like the way the Chinese people let their wishes be known.

Police opened fire after a mob armed with knives attacked police stations and a local government building, Xinhua news agency quoted officials as saying.

---

Seventeen people, including nine security personnel and eight civilians, were killed before police shot dead 10 of the rioters, it said.

They seem to have given a good account of themselves, 9 cops to 8 civilians, before the cops opened up with the guns.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Always difficult to know how reliable the reporting is, though

Independent reports from Chinese provinces are rare. '8 civilians' could cover a lot of different types of people.

[bemildred]

3. Out there in the West for sure.

Sort of like the Arabian peninsula.

Edit: and a crossroads for millenia, yes.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

4. Let me explain the thinking so you understand. Local police can't do anything

Seriously, they are window dressing.

If there is a riot, first they need to report it to their superior in the PSB.

Then the superior must alert the PSB Chief

Then the PSB will alert the District PSB with a recommended action that needs approval.

Then the District PSB will go to the city PSB with the recommendation and submit it to the Police Chiefs

The police chiefs will debate it, then go to the CCCP or the mayor for their approval. If is is approved, action is taken. If not, it will need to be resubmitted with the proper recommendations.

Once all that happens, the riot police can go out.

Before you think I'm making this up, one of my good friends in Shijiazhuang was the equivalent to a Lieutenant in the National Police. This is their system. It is designed to pass the buck as much as possible so that if the action works, the higher ups get the praise and if it fails, the lowest level person get's the blame.

So, I'm not surprised people died before the police acted. Until there is a plan approved for action, the police's hands are tied.

Welcome to China.

[bemildred]

6. Thank you, I read your posts.

I quite believe you. As it always is with empires, it's all about control.

[Renew Deal]

5. You "like" that knife wielding maniacs attacked a police station?

I wonder if you would "like" that in your neighborhood.

[cosmicone]

7. This is a terrorist province

where violent militants formerly funded and trained by Pakistan's ISI try to secede from China instead of living peacefully. They call the province "East Turkestan" instead of its traditional name Xin Jiang.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/world/asia/02china.html?_r=0

Paradoxical violence from the culture of peace abated a bit after the Chinese put ISI's balls in a vice and started turning the handle.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. China's Xinjiang hit by fresh unrest

China's Xinjiang hit by fresh unrest

More than 100 people riding motorcycles, some wielding knives, have attacked a police station in China's western region of Xinjiang, according to state-run media.

Details of Friday's incident in the desert city of Hotan are only just emerging.

It comes two days after clashes in another part of Xinjiang left at least 35 people dead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23112177