Associated Press, 6/26/97

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

BEIJING (AP) -- Chinese authorities have torn down mosques and canceled religious classes to counter unrest among Muslims in the northwestern province of Xinjiang.

At least 40 people have been arrested in the crackdown in the province around the Xinjiang city of Yining, where Feb. 5 riots killed at least 10 people and injured 140, according to the state-run newspaper Xinjiang Daily.

Authorities have stepped up efforts nationwide to forestall any trouble that might disrupt Hong Kong's return Tuesday to China.

Of particular concern are border regions like Xinjiang and Tibet. In Xinjiang, the Muslim ethnic majority has grown increasingly angry over Chinese rule and an influx of Chinese settlers.

Like other religious believers, Muslims are generally allowed to practice their faith, within limits proscribed by the ruling Communist Party. But authorities have tightened control over unauthorized religious activities after protests and bombings in the spring.

They shut down 133 mosques and closed 105 clandestine classes. Teachers found to be promoting Muslim separatism were fired and about 500 of their students were dismissed, the newspaper said in a June 21 report seen today in Beijing.

The report said the local Communist Party had recruited hundreds of new officials, militiamen and police to impose order and help with poverty relief.