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Police out as torch hits Xinjiang Police out as torch hits Xinjiang
(40 minutes later)
The Olympic torch is passing through northwest China's predominantly Muslim region of Xinjiang, a sensitive part of its journey to Beijing. Security was tight as the Olympic torch began passing through China's mainly Muslim Xinjiang region, on a highly sensitive part of its trip to Beijing.
Security was tight as the flame left People's Square in the capital, Urumqi, for its journey around the city. Police were out in force as the flame left People's Square in the capital, Urumqi, on its run around the city.
The torch will spend three days in the region, which is home to around eight million Muslim Uighur people.The torch will spend three days in the region, which is home to around eight million Muslim Uighur people.
Ties between Chinese authorities and the Uighurs are tense. Officials fear separatists could target the relay.Ties between Chinese authorities and the Uighurs are tense. Officials fear separatists could target the relay.
The relay has been moved forward by a week, in an apparent attempt to avoid unrest. The torch's visit to another potential hotspot, Tibet's main city, Lhasa, has also been moved up.The relay has been moved forward by a week, in an apparent attempt to avoid unrest. The torch's visit to another potential hotspot, Tibet's main city, Lhasa, has also been moved up.
Terror allegationsTerror allegations
In Urumqi, extra security was put in place ahead of the relay. In Urumqi, very tight security was put in place ahead of the relay.
Police carried out vehicle checks, firecrackers were banned and spectators told to stay away from footbridges. Police carried out vehicle checks and set up checkpoints in the normally busy city. Firecrackers were banned and many local people asked to stay away, reports said.
People entering People's Square had to pass through metal detectors while police searched their bags, AFP news agency reported.People entering People's Square had to pass through metal detectors while police searched their bags, AFP news agency reported.
The majority of the 3,000-strong crowd that gathered there were Han Chinese, the agency said. The majority of the crowd that gathered in the square were Han Chinese, the agency said.
Many Uighurs resent the large-scale influx of Han Chinese settlers into the resource-rich region.Many Uighurs resent the large-scale influx of Han Chinese settlers into the resource-rich region.
Some groups are fighting to establish an independent Islamic nation, leading to periodic violence in Xinjiang.Some groups are fighting to establish an independent Islamic nation, leading to periodic violence in Xinjiang.
Beijing accuses the groups of links to al-Qaeda and this year claims to have foiled at least two Xinjiang-based plots targeting the Olympic Games.Beijing accuses the groups of links to al-Qaeda and this year claims to have foiled at least two Xinjiang-based plots targeting the Olympic Games.
But human rights groups accuse the Chinese authorities of using the alleged terror links as a way of cracking down on the independence movement.But human rights groups accuse the Chinese authorities of using the alleged terror links as a way of cracking down on the independence movement.