The general situation in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is stable and developing on the right track, the political commissar of Xinjiang's armed police has said.

Hou Xiaoqin, who is attending the annual parliamentary session in Beijing, told Xinhua that Xinjiang's security situation is moving for the better and that he is confident of maintaining stability there.

"We are analyzing the characteristics of terrorism, separatism and extremism to effectively prevent and combat such activities," he said.

The armed police force in Xinjiang moved promptly to quench the deadly riot in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, on July 5 last year, Hou said. The riot left 197 people dead and more than 1,700 injured.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday in his government work report that China will modernize the armed police force and improve its response to emergencies to fight terrorism and maintain stability.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2010)