China’s Xinjiang region plagued by violent attacks that Beijing blames on Uygur separatists

China’s western region of Xinjiang has been plagued by violent attacks over the years, which Beijing blames on Uygur separatists.

It has claimed Uygur separatists have gone to Central Asia and Syria for training as “jihadists” (holy warriors), and sneaked back to Xinjiang to plot attacks.

However, some people from the Muslim-dominated region have complained about Beijing’s repressive policies, which they claim restrict religious freedom.

Here we take a look at some of the violent attacks and riots in the region during past years.