The regional government has expressed appreciation for the netizens' understanding and support when Internet connection, international long-distance calls and mobile phone text messages were cut in some areas of Xinjiang after the July 5 riot.

Disruption of communication was aimed at cracking down on the riot quickly and preventing violence from happening again, as the riot was believed to have been orchestrated by separatists via the Internet, text message and long-distance telephone calls.

The riot left 197 people dead and more than 1,700 injured.

The regional government said in March that 198 people had been sentenced in connection with the riot.

Resumption of Internet services in Xinjiang has been a gradual process. Access to two leading news websites, xinhuanet.com and people.com.cn, was restored in December, followed by access to another two portal websites, sina.com.cn and sohu.com, on Jan. 10.

Email services were resumed in March. International long-distance calls and mobile texting services have also been resumed gradually.

The central government is rallying nationwide efforts to bolster the development of China's ethnic regions including Xinjiang and Tibet.

Premier Wen Jiabao said in early March that the government would focus on the economic and social development in Xinjiang, Tibet and Tibetan ethnic areas in provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai.

The central government is also preparing for a conference on Xinjiang in the first half of this year to boost economic development and long-term stability in the region.