South China Morning Post, 6/25/97

Published by: THE WORLD UYGHUR NETWORK NEWS, July 1, 1997

IVAN TANG Defence Minister General Chi Haotian urged the Army in Xinjiang to work harder on building the region's security and ethnic harmony.

General Chi, also vice-chairman of the party's Central Military Commission, stopped off in Xinjiang on Saturday for three days after he won support from neighbouring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to crack down on ethnic Uygurs.

It was the second visit to Xinjiang by a senior Chinese leader in three months. National People's Congress Chairman Qiao Shi made an unscheduled stopover in April.

During his visit, General Chi inspected the region's military facilities and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, an influential paramilitary body, Xinhua (the New China News Agency) reported.

General Chi said Xinjiang's military forces should step up border patrols.

"You should give our future generations a peaceful, stable and safe border," General Chi reportedly said. He also urged the Army to implement the party's ethnic harmony policies and build a friendship with ethnic minorities.

"You should build the image of a mighty and civilised army through your strict discipline and good behaviour."

General Chi's visits to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan indicated Beijing was still worried about the stability of Xinjiang after riots in February by Uygurs who form the region's majority.