Beijing calls for understanding from Muslim world after Xinjiang riots

China has called for understanding from Muslim countries and vowed to do everything it can to protect its workers overseas after the Algerian branch of al-Qaeda said it would stage revenge attacks in response to Uighur deaths during the Xinjiang riots earlier this month, the South China Morning Post reported. It is the first time the terrorist network has made a threat against China. Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that Beijing would cooperate with relevant countries to ensure protection of its workers and urged Muslim countries to understand Beijing’s position. Qin blamed the violence in the far Western province on Xinjiang separatists, terrorists and extremists. Analysts and diplomats in the region said Beijing’s swift response may indicate the government has "its own solid intelligence" on the al-Qaeda threats. They added that while al-Qaeda may attack Chinese interests in North Africa, there is very little chance that it will attack China itself.