Officers sent to Xinjiang to train police

A group of training officers has been sent to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to give lessons to local police officers on anti-terrorism and the lawful use of weapons, the Ministry of Public Security has announced.

The 30 training officers were selected from the ministry's training bases in six provincial areas and public security colleges and SWAT teams nationwide, the ministry announced on its official website on Tuesday.

They will give face-to-face lessons to police officers in Xinjiang using lectures, field training and combat lessons.

The training will also cover police skills including the use of guns, combat tactics and field cooperation, emergency handling, response to weapons other than guns and safety protection.

The ministry said the move is part of efforts to implement President Xi Jinping's instructions on anti-terrorism and safeguarding stability in Xinjiang.

Xi urged police officers in Xinjiang to find "effective ways" to deal with terrorists during his visit there last month. It was his first visit to the region since becoming the top leader in November 2012.

The ministry said the training is also part of nationwide training plan for police officers on the use of police weapons.

The most recent terrorist attack in Xinjiang occurred on April 30 when two suspects stabbed people with knives and set off explosives at the exit of Urumqi South Railway Station. The attack claimed three lives including the two suspects, and injured 79 people.

The police later identified the two suspects as having long been involved with religious extremism.