Analysts are calling for Beijing to revamp its strategy of keeping Xinjiang under control, urging the central leadership to shift from its heavy focus on economic development to giving more respect to minority culture and religion.
They said two violent attacks that occurred within 24 hours in Kashgar, the most important mainland Muslim city in the restive region, raised alarm over Beijing's existing strategy and warned of more sporadic attacks.
However, they added that in the long term, the region was unlikely to spin out of control.
Joseph Cheng Yu-shek, a professor of public and social administration at the City University of Hong Kong, said the central government had poured money into the region for development, especially after fatal riots in Urumqi in 2009.
'Some people believe the development programme may benefit state-owned enterprises more,' he said. 'Besides, Beijing has not changed its education, language and religion policies in the region.
'It is unfortunate that the central government has not learned from the previous incidents.'
Xinjiang witnessed a deadly attack at a police station in Hotan on July 18, and the city's residents had said they believed an attempt by the authorities to gradually ban local Uygur women from wearing black veils and traditional Islamic black outfits was one of the reasons behind that incident.