Police 'kill 20' at China demo

Up to 20 people have been killed in fighting in north-east China between police and protesters.

Activists from the Uyghur ethnic group said police opened fire at a peaceful protest at a police station in Xinjiang province yesteray. The World Uyghur Congress claimed six were shot dead and 14 beaten to death in Hotan city.

But a government official claimed rioters set the building on fire, killed hostages and unfurled a separatist banner. Regional information chief Hou Hanmin told the People's Daily: "It is certain it was a terrorist attack."

Muslim, Turkic-speaking Uyghurs make up the majority of the region's population but say they are discriminated against and face restrictions on their language, culture and religion.