Violence breaks out in north-western region of Xinjiang, where Uighurs took part in anti-government riots last year
At least 12 people have been killed in riots near the Chinese city of Kashgar in the restive north-western region of Xinjiang, state media reported.
No details were given about what might have set off the violence, although Xinjiang sees periodic outbreaks of anti-government violence by members of the region's native Turkish Muslim Uighur ethnic group.
The Xinhua news agency said rioters armed with knives had attacked victims in Yecheng county outside the city starting at about 6pm. They killed 10 people and police shot dead two assailants, the report said.
The Xinhua report could not be independently confirmed. Chinese authorities maintain tight control over information and the circumstances surrounding such incidents are often murky.
Xinhua said police were chasing others involved in the attacks but did not say how many suspects there were.
The periodic attacks in the region occur despite a smothering security presence imposed following 2009 riots in the regional capital of Urumqi that pitted Uighurs against migrants from China's majority Han in which almost 200 people died.
Xinjiang saw more deadly violence last summer, when a group of Uighurs stormed a police station in the city of Hotan on 18 July and took hostages, killing four. Then, just days later on 30 and 31 July, Uighurs in Kashgar hijacked a truck, set a restaurant on fire and stabbed people in the street.
Authorities said 14 of the attackers were shot by police in Hotan, and five assailants were killed in the violence in Kashgar.
China says those events were organised terror attacks, but an overseas Uighur rights group says they were anti-government riots carried out by angry citizens. Uighur activists and security analysts blame the violence on economic marginalisation and restrictions on Uighur culture and the Muslim religion that are breeding frustration and anger among young Uighurs.
Chinese authorities have offered little evidence to back up their claims of outside involvement and rarely provide details on arrests or punishment of the suspects.