China Braces for High-Security Torch Leg in Muslim West

June 16, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Associated Free Press

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j1JohR3ZIqu6o0JcJXMa9hD6Q_xw

China braced Monday for a high-security Olympic torch relay leg through restive Xinjiang, where Beijing's rule of the remote western region is deeply unpopular among its millions of Muslims.

The torch was to arrive in the Xinjiang capital Urumqi in the evening ahead of its transit through the city centre on Tuesday morning before moving on to three other regional cities.

Officials announced a range of measures to safeguard the torch's passage through Urumqi, including random checks of vehicles and a ban on firecrackers and other potentially hazardous materials.