Chinese policies and lawdepartment official Mao Gongning, appearing at a news conference onethnic minority rights, called the recent attacks in Xinjiang the workof a handful of criminals. He says they will not affect relationsbetween Beijing and China's eight million Uighur Muslims, who are basedin the far-western province.
He says the attacks are not related to ethnic or religious issues.
Chineseofficials say Uighur separatists have carried out three violent attacksin Xinjiang in the past two weeks, killing 16 policemen in one incidentand three security officers in another.
The government officialsays most of China's Uighurs welcome the economic progress in theregion, although he says minority areas such as Xinjiang and Tibet lagbehind China's more developed eastern coastline.
China has alsodealt with simmering tensions in Tibet and nearby Chinese provincessince riots in March. The government says the riots claimed the livesof 22 people, mostly ethnic Chinese. Tibet's Indian-basedgovernment-in-exile says more than 200 Tibetans were killed in acrackdown by Chinese forces on anti-government protesters and rioters.
Governmentofficials accuse the Tibetan Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, ofbacking a separatist movement, which he denies. Asked about the DalaiLama's support among Tibetans, Chinese ethnic affairs official WuShimin said the Dalai Lama's supporters use religion to entice thepublic. But he denies that the Buddhist leader has a large following.
TheChinese official accuses the Western media of biased reporting and saysit ignores the economic advances in Tibet and other minority regions.
Securityis tight surrounding the Beijing Olympics, following threats by Uighurseparatists of a terrorist attack to disrupt the games. Officials inBeijing insist the games are safe.
Chinese security personnelare reportedly keeping close watch on Uighur residents of Beijing, andChina has tightened visa restrictions to keep out potential foreignprotesters.
A British reporter was dragged from the scene and brieflydetained Wednesday as he covered a pro-Tibet demonstration, one ofseveral small protests in recent days. Five foreigners who unfurled abanner saying "Free Tibet" were detained and have since been deported.