Chinese Police have detained 1,400 people after Sunday's violent clashes between Chinese ethnic minority demonstrators and police in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang state led to over 156 deaths.
In a rare public display of dissatisfaction, thousands of Muslim ethnic group Uyghur -- many of whom feel they are treated as second-class citizens -- took to the streets chanting and screaming, which prompted a police lockdown of the city.
The demonstration started peacefully with more than 300 people staging a silent sit-down protest to demand an investigation into a June 25 brawl at a factory that had led to the death of two workers.
Meanwhile, expressing concern over reports of deaths in China, the United States has called on the authorities and protestors to exercise restraint.
"We deeply regret the loss of life" the riots, a State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said on Tuesday. "We call on all sides for calm and restraint."
Japan is also concerned about the numerous deaths and casualties reportedly caused in a riot that broke out in China's restive Xinjiang region.
Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said, "The Japanese government is paying close attention to it, and is also concerned."
