China: Xinjiang Cigarette Factory Strives to Resume Normal Operation

Source from:  HongyunHonghe Group 07/15/2009

Xinjiang Cigarette Factory in northwest China's Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region, which was hit by a deadliest riot with killing, beating, smashing, looting and burning since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, is striving to resume normal operation and production, in coordination with government efforts to restore law and order in the region. Xinjiang Cigarette Factory is located in Kuitun City, more than 200 kilometers from the regional capital city of Urumqi. Therefore, the task of maintaining stability there is quite arduous. On July 5, a riot took place in Urumqi, killing more than 180 people and injuring more than 1,000 others, which were the most severe casualties in any single incident of its kind in six decades. In response, the government reacted swiftly and adopted powerful measures to restore law and order in Xinjiang. Police in Xinjiang have arrested 1,434 suspects over the riot, including 1,379 men and 55 women. They are said to have conducted violent acts of killing, beating, smashing, looting and burning. After the incident, Xinjiang Cigarette Factory immediately established a rapid reaction squad for dealing with emergencies, and has put it on standby. The factory has also increased the number of security guards on duty and has strengthened patrol around the clock. All workshops of the factory have tested their plans for dealing with emergencies, and have designated special human resources to conduct patrol, to guarantee production and operation safety. The Chinese Communist Party Committee at Xinjiang Cigarette Factory swiftly held committee meetings and regular meeting of leading officials, to pass on instructions given by both the central government and the regional government of Xinjiang, and publicize an important speech delivered by Secretary Wang Lequan of the Chinese Communist Party Xinjiang Regional Committee on maintaining stability in Xinjiang. Members of the Chinese Communist Party Committee at Xinjiang Cigarette Factory managed to learn what the workers of the factory were thinking, and went deep into the grassroots to do a good job of publicizing party instructions. They also regularly went to the workshops, warehouses and other key parts of the factory to conduct inspection and designate special personnel to keep watch, in efforts to prevent any further violence. Enditem