Xi Vows to Combat Terrorism After Attackers Kill 3 in Xinjiang

President Xi Jinping vowed to combat “violence and terrorism” after three people were killed in an explosion and knife attack in the capital of northwestern China’s Xinjiang region hours after he visited the city, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.

“Knife-wielding mobs” slashed travelers and set off explosives at the Urumqi’s south train station at about 7:10 p.m. local time yesterday, Xinhua said, citing the publicity department of the ruling Communist Party’s regional committee. The attack injured 79 people, four seriously, it reported.

“The battle to combat violence and terrorism will not allow even a moment of slackness, and decisive actions must be taken to resolutely suppress the terrorists’ rampant momentum,” Xi said after the attack, according to Xinhua. Xi was in Urumqi at 10 a.m. yesterday morning, wrapping up a four-day trip focused on security during which he said China would “strike first” against terrorists.