President Xi vows severe punishment on terrorists

Police officers stand guard near a blast scene, which has been cordoned off, in downtown Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Cao Zhiheng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to severely punish terrorists and spare no efforts in maintaining stability in response to Thursday morning's fatal explosions in Urumqi.

Police will step up patrols and security control over possible terrorist targets and prevent ripple effects, said Xi in a statement.

Xi asked local authorities to solve the case fast, put the injured under proper care and offer condolences to families of the victims.

The Chinese government will continue to work hard in fighting terrorism and try its best to safeguard social stability, he said.

The explosions,which hit an open air market in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have left 31 dead and more than 90 injured.

A working group led by Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun has left for Xinjiang to supervise the investigation and handle the aftermath.

So far all injured people have been sent to hospitals and police are pushing through the investigation, authorities said.  

31 dead, 90-plus injured in Urumqi market explosions

The explosions at an open air market in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have left 31 dead and more than 90 injured Thursday, authorities said.