Sudan's ambassador to China has voiced support for the measures China has taken to handle the deadly July 5 riot in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The measures adopted by the Chinese government after the riot aim to defend its sovereignty, safeguard social stability, and protect people's lives and property, Ambassador Mirghani Mohamed Salih told Xinhua.

The riot in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang region, killed 197 people and injured more than 1,680 others.

Salih said the riot was a violent crime instigated by forces outside China.

The incident had an obvious political motivation and had nothing to do with Islam, Salih said.

Salih, a senior ambassador who has worked in China for more than six years, said he has visited Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region several times and has a deep understanding of the Uygur Muslims there.

"When I walk around cities such as Urumqi and Kashgar, I find people of various ethnic groups there live in peace and harmony," he said. "I saw Muslims perform religious activities in mosques, and they keep their own cultural characteristics as can be seen from their clothing style and public activities."

Salih said he also found that many Uygurs hold important positions in government agencies.

The ambassador also stressed that China and the Islamic countries have forged a profound and traditional friendship.

"The friendship is based upon mutual respect, solidarity, and mutual support," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2009)