China blames "terrorist" for deadly clashes in troubled Xinjiang At least 21 people have been killed in fierce fighting in China's troubled far-west region of Xinjiang. A confrontation involving knives, axes and a gun ended with a house being burnt down in an act local authorities have blamed on "terrorists" China has previously accused Islamic separatists who want to establish an independent East Turkestan for carrying out attack in the region. Many Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking Muslim people native to Xinjiang, chafe at Chinese controls on their religion, language and culture. In 2009 tensions erupted between ethnic Uighurs and the majority Han Chinese leaving more than 200 people dead and thousands more injured. More about: China, Clashes and riots