The only overseas bank in Xinjiang, the Urumqi branch of the Bank of East Asia, resumed operation on Thursday four days after the riot which killed at least 156 people.

The Hong Kong-based bank set up the branch in September last year at the People's Square, where the riot started Sunday evening. The bank was closed on Monday, but its ATM services remained.

Clients began to go the bank Thursday noon after being told of the reopening.

"I think the impact of the unrest on Xinjiang will gradually weaken," said a marketing staff member surnamed Guan.

"Because of its rich energies and geographic advantages, some overseas companies are paying closer attention to the region so as to expand their businesses in central Asia," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2009)