Xi promotes stability and ethnic harmony in Xinjiang

Terrorism Condemned

Two suspects and a citizen were killed in Wednesday's railway station terror attack in Urumqi, the region's capital, according to the police.

During the inspection tour, Xi said safeguarding the country's unity and fighting separatism are of the upmost importance and in the basic interests of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

"The battle to combat violence and terrorism will not allow even a moment of slackness, and decisive actions must be taken to resolutely suppress the terrorists' rampant momentum," Xi said.

Xi's comments were echoed by Xinjiang residents from all walks of life, including Li Guoxian working at the Urumqi railway police bureau, as they called for a tightened fight against terrorism in wake of the blast.

Three of Li's fellow officers got injured in the terrorist attack. In the following International Workers' Day holiday, they did not take a day off because they had to intensify security measures after the attack.

"It is outrageous!" said Li. "For those ruthless terrorists, we must take strong measures and strike them hard!"

Cui Zhiliang works in Kashgar's investment promotion bureau. A big part of his work is to deal with ethnic minorities.

"The terrorist wanted to scare us, to undermine ethnic solidarity, but we will tell them that we will not be terrorized and the bond between different ethnic groups is indestructible," said Cui.

Memetursun Yasin, a taxi driver in Xinjiang's Hotan city, said he believes life will be better in the future and he does not want his stable life to be destroyed by a small group of terrorists.

Kurbanjan Weli, a postgraduate student from North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, penned a letter signed by another 10 Uygur students to denounce the terrorists.

During the visit, Xi stressed that people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are "our brothers and sisters," and those religious extremists and terrorists are "our common enemies."

"We should bring our true hearts to our brothers and sisters while striking our common enemies with sharp and relentless efforts," Xi said.