China said Tuesday at least 156 people were killed when Muslim Uighurs rioted in the restive region of Xinjiang in some of the deadliest ethnic unrest to hit the country in decades.

The violence in the regional capital Urumqi on Sunday involved thousands of people and triggered an enormous security crackdown across Xinjiang, where Uighurs have long complained of repressive Chinese rule.

"People are staying inside, the best thing for you is to go back to your hotel, that will be safe," a businessman told AFP near Urumqi's bazaar district, the scene of much of the violence.

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