Wang Lequan, secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China (CNSPHOTO)

Xinjiang's Party chief has called for more efforts to maintain social stability and ensure the achievement of this year's economic and social development goals in the northwestern Chinese region.

Wang Lequan, secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remarks at a meeting gathering senior regional officials Monday.

Wang said efforts made over the past weeks to cope with the July 5 riot, which left 197 people dead and more than 1,600 others injured in the regional capital Urumqi, and to ensure social stability across the region had paid off. No serious incidents have cropped up in major prefectures since then, according to him.

Probes into the riot and inquisition of suspects were well under way, Wang added.

However, he said, some factors of instability still existed. "We should ruthlessly crack down on criminals who attempt to stage terrorist attacks.

Efforts should be made to foil any terrorist sabotage schemes before they are materialized."

Wang said such measures as street patrol would be intensified to maintain normal social life and production order and enhance the public sense of security.

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2009)