There have been a series of deadly terrorist attacks in China over the past three years, most occurring in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
July 18, 2011: Terrorists attack a police station in Hotan city in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. They hold a number of people hostage and set fire to the building.
July 31, 2011: Terrorists attack a crowd in Kashgar city in Kashgar prefecture, Xinjiang.
Dec 28, 2011: A gang takes two people hostage and fights with police in Pishan county, Hotan prefecture in Xinjiang.
Feb 28, 2012: A gang attacks people with knives and axes on the streets of Yecheng county in Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture.
April 24, 2013: Attack at Selibuya township in Kashgar prefecture.
June 27, 2013: A police station and a local government office are attacked in Shanshan county, Turpan prefecture, Xinjiang.
Oct 28, 2013: A jeep is deliberately driven into a crowd of pedestrians at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
Nov 16, 2013: A nine-strong gang, armed with knives and axes, attacks a police station in Selibuya township in Kashgar prefecture, Xinjiang.
Jan 24, 2014: Six suicide bombers blow themselves up in Xinhe county, Aksu prefecture, Xinjiang.
Feb 14: Eight people are shot dead by police and three others die after detonating explosives during an attack in Wushi county, Aksu Prefecture.
March 1: A group of around 10 people attacks travelers at the railway station in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.
— China Daily