Authorities have stepped up security across Xinjiang to prevent terrorist attacks by Muslim separatists during the National Day holiday.
Troops and paramilitary forces have been deployed to prevent any incident during the week-long holiday, which starts on Monday, following the terrorist attacks in the US.
'Basically Xinjiang has been put on high alert, meaning the troops and police have to cancel their holidays and be on standby from now on,' a local source said.
'Usually security is tight during the National Day, but this year the situation is particularly intense because of what happened in the US.'
Tourism has also suffered as many tour groups - particularly ones from overseas - have cancelled their bookings due to fears the area could become dangerous should a war break out between the US and Afghanistan.
Customs checkpoints along the Pakistan border have been closed and troop numbers in border cities, particularly Kashi and Hetian, have reportedly been bolstered.
