China suspends visas to Kazakhs for Xinjiang
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 July 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, China suspends visas to Kazakhs for Xinjiang, 7 July 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a5ae719c.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 07, 2009
ASTANA – Chinese and Kazakh officials have agreed to suspend Chinese visas for Kazakhs wishing to visit Xinjiang, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman Erzhan Ashikbaev said that those planning to visit China's northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Province should postpone their trip. He did not elaborate on a time frame for the suspension.
According to Ashikbaev, Kazakh citizens are welcome to visit any other Chinese provinces.
Weekend clashes between ethnic Uyghurs and ethnic Han Chinese in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, left at least 150 dead and thousands injured and arrested.
Ashikbaev said that there were no Kazakh citizens among the casualties.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
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