Chinese authorities are reporting that two Uighur citizens have been shot dead by police in the city of Urumqi, in the northwestern province of Xinjiang. Another Uighur was injured.

According to a journalist from Hong Kong, two police officers were also struck by bullets when shooting began in an Uighur region of the city.

Just over a week ago, fierce fighting broke out in the city between Uighurs and Han Chinese. At least 184 people died. The Chinese authorities have sent thousands of troops to Urumqi to restore order.

In recent years Islamic Uighurs, who have lived for many years in Xinjiang, have rebelled against the Chinese government and what they say is cultural and religious oppression by the communist party.

Photo of Urumqi by pmorgan (flickr)