Ethnic violence in Ürümqi to flare up again?

(Updated 22:30 – False rumours?)

Unrest seems to again have taken hold of the streets in Ürümqi, in western China.

1. Uyghurs announce more violence after 18:00 o’clock on Monday 7 September.
2. The government has ordered businesses to close and people to stay at home.
3. Two bus bombings have allegedly taken place at 17:30 local time on or near 团结路 (Tuanjie street), in what is traditionally seen as ‘the Uyghur part of town’.
4. Two helicopters were seen flying in that direction shortly afterwards.

News accumulates on Twitter in the #Urumqi channel.

False rumours? (added 22:30)

There’s been surprisingly little ‘new news’ of those alleged bus bombings, which makes me question the validity of these (3 and 4) claims.

• Even though it wouldn’t be the first time that busses are targeted by terrorists in Ürümqi…
• … the New Dominion has reported on such spreading of false rumours before.
• See also China threatens punishment for rumors in Urumqi (several other media outlets also run this story).

Town in turmoil

This spate of violence unrest follows protests by Han Chinese, who have been complaining about the government’s response to the rioting that took place in the first week of July.

It’s been alleged that during those recent protests Uyghurs were targeted – several of whom died – in different parts of town. This comes on top of the victims of violence between the police and protesters, which seems to have taken place around 人民广场 (Renmin Guangchang or People’s Square) and 大十字 (Da Shizi).

Nota bene: all times are in Beijing time, which is 8 hours ahead of GMT.