A prefecture in China\u2019s far western Xinjiang region is requiring all vehicles to install satellite tracking systems as part of stepped-up measures against violent attacks.<\/p>\n
By Gerry Shih | AP
\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bFebruary 21 at 2:59 AM<\/p>\n
BEIJING \u2014 A prefecture in China\u2019s far western Xinjiang region is requiring all vehicles to install satellite tracking systems as part of stepped-up measures against violent attacks.<\/p>\n
Traffic police in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture announced the regulation on Sunday, shortly after thousands of heavily armed police paraded in the Xinjiang capital and ruling Communist Party officials vowed to ramp up their campaign against separatists and Islamic militants.<\/p>\n
The vehicle-tracking program in Bayingolin will utilize China\u2019s homegrown Beidou satellite system, launched in recent years to reduce China\u2019s reliance on U.S.-based GPS providers for sensitive applications. Authorities said they will also track cars using RFID technology embedded in license plates.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recent years, the terrorist situation around the world has become severe, and cars are the main means of transport for terrorists,\u201d said prefectural authorities in an online statement. Authorities aimed to register and track up to 20,000 vehicles, the statement said.<\/p>\n
Gas stations will only serve cars equipped with the tracking system, according to a separate local news report. Police officials in the prefecture confirmed the tracking program to the AP on Tuesday but declined to answer questions.<\/p>\n
Xinjiang officials have sharply increased surveillance, street searches and police patrols in recent years amid bombings, vehicle and knife attacks blamed on separatist militants from the native ethnic Uighur minority. Uighur activists say economic marginalization and a repressive government presence \u2014 including restrictions on Muslim religious and cultural practices \u2014 have fueled resentment and feed a vicious cycle of radicalization and violence.<\/p>\n
Xinjiang shares a border with Afghanistan, Pakistan and several unstable Central Asian states.<\/p>\n
The Chinese government denies religious discrimination and says its policies are needed to maintain stability in a region targeted by militant Islamic radicals.<\/p>\n
Despite the constant state of police lockdown, three knife-wielding attackers killed five and injured five others in Xinjiang\u2019s far western Pishan county last week, while several clashes between police forces and militants have been reported in recent months in the region\u2019s southern towns.<\/p>\n
At a Saturday rally in the regional capital of Urumqi, Xinjiang party official Zhu Hailun exhorted rows of rifle-toting soldiers and police in tactical anti-riot uniforms to use their \u201chot blood and loyalty\u201d to defend the people and deal a \u201ccrushing, obliterating blow\u201d against separatist and radical Islamic forces from Central Asia.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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