Eyewitness:"Tensions high on the streets of Urumqi"

The phrase "harmonious coexistence" is a favourite of China's ruling Communist Party when it comes to describing inter-ethnic relations. But in the Muslim-majority province of Xinjiang the brittle façade of unity cracked for all the world to see.
Two days after 156 people were killed in a vicious outbreak of ethnic mob violence, the streets of the ancient Silk Road city of Urumqi hung thick with tear gas and poisonous rumours as two rival communities called openly for each other's blood.....
PICTURE LEFT:A large group of Han Chinese walk up a street carry sticks and shovels on the streets in Urumqi in China's far west Xinjiang province Photo: AFP/GETTY