A Chinese envoy said on Tuesday that the deadly riot in northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region would not affect "sound relationship" between China and Islamic countries.

"The incident won't impose a negative impact on the relationship between China and Islamic countries," said Wu Sike, China's Special Envoy to he Middle East, at a news briefing after he concluded a four-nation visit in the Middle East earlier this month.

Wu served as Special Envoy to the Middle East in March, and has visited Russia and six nations in the Middle East between June and July.

The relationship between China and Islamic countries has a "firm foundation," and the two sides share the views of safeguarding national unity, maintaining social stability and opposing terrorist atrocities, said Wu.

Authorities in Xinjiang confirmed earlier this month that civilians accounted for 156 of the 197 deaths in the July 5 Urumqi riot.

"Any government or people will not accept the fact that a tiny number of people harboring political motives have taken extreme and atrocious violence against civilians," said Wu.

"The Islamic countries, from their governments to people, have showed their understanding and support for the measures China had taken to maintain social stability," Wu said.

With regards to recent brawl between some local Algerians and some Chinese in Algiers, Wu said the clash has brought about some "bad effects," but will not affect China-Algeria relations.

On August 3, a clash occurred when a parking dispute escalated between a young Chinese and a young Algerian in the Bab Ezzouar district in the eastern suburbs of Algiers, causing injuries to some Algerians and Chinese. Several Chinese stores were also looted.

"The clash was an isolated incident," said Wu, adding that it would not affect "the long-term and solid" bilateral ties, or friendly ties between China and the Islamic countries.

Some Chinese merchants in Algeria released an open letter to the Algerian people on Sunday in which they expressed grief over the incident.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2009)