Russia calls Xinjiang blasts “bloody, barbarous”
May 22, 2014, 12:24 pm

Explosions occurred Thursday morning at an open air market in Urumqi, capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, leaving at least 31 dead and 94 injured [Image courtesy: Weibo]

“Russia is shocked with what has happened in Urumqi. We categorically condemn that bloody, barbarous act and hope its organizers will be found and prosecuted,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a message of condolences to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

“In his message of condolences, the President of Russia condemns this atrocious crime and expresses certainty that its perpetrators and organisers will be found and brought to justice,” said a Kremlin statement on Thursday.

Rallying forces after talks in Shanghai, Putin said he would push for “further strengthening cooperation between Russia and China in combatting all types of terrorism and extremism”.

Explosions occurred Thursday morning at an open air market in Urumqi, capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, leaving at least 31 dead and 94 injured.

Two vehicles, without license plates, broke through roadside fences and plowed into people at the market, and explosive devices were set off, said a statement issued by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s Publicity Department.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to crackdown on terror and bring back stability in the region, official statements said.

Meanwhile, Chinese and Russian navies have begun a live-fire drill on the third day of a joint exercise in the northern part of the East China Sea.

A total of 14 surface ships, two submarines, nine fixed-wing warplanes, six shipboard helicopters and two operational detachments will take part in the drill.

In what is a first for China, Russian and Chinese forces will work together under the command of both Chinese and Russian officers during the massive exercise in a bid to deepen military cooperation.

Sino-Russian close diplomatic, security and economic ties have been boosted by the massive $400 billion gas deal inked by the two countries on Wednesday.

TBP and Agencies