URUMQI, July 13, 2009 -- China's top police officer urged here Monday people from all ethnic groups and officials at all levels in Xinjiang to stand stoutly against ethnic separatists and put more efforts in ensuring the stability of the region.

Meng Jianzhu, state councilor and public security minister, made the remarks in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where a riot on July 5 caused at least 184 deaths and injured 1,680 others.

Meng expressed his appreciations for the hard work of all the police teams that were dispatched here from other parts of the country during a meeting with police representatives.

"You must have a clear notion for the current complicated situation in Urumqi... Now everything is going better, but those ethnic separatists won't give up easily and may continue their sabotage," said Meng to the police officers.

Meng urged local police teams to "stay on high alert" and do their utmost to prevent further conflicts while at the same time protecting themselves.