One way SMS services resume in Xinjiang

Beijing, Jul 28 (PTI) Residents of strife-torn
Muslim-dominated border province of Xinjiang have received the
first text message on their mobiles from the government, 20
days after the service was suspended following the bloodiest
ethnic riots in China on July 5.

An SMS sent to all users by the government claimed that
public security situation in riot-hit Urumqi, the regional
capital, had improved. It also urged the residents not to
believe in rumours.

The residents received their first text message on Sunday
from the news centre of the local government, the state-run
China Daily reported.

However, mobile users are not yet able to send messages
to one another, it said.

Authorities have now begun the process of resuming
Internet services gradually, mainly those which pertains to
online business and government websites, a Telecommunications
Administration statement said.

Internet services has already been restored in Xinjiang
for some "specialised" operations, such as Internet banking
services, online stock exchange and university enrollment
services, besides SMS services for weather reports, it said.

However, social networking sites, such as Twitter and
Facebook, are still blocked across the country and there is no
word from Telecommunications Administration on when they will
be accessible to public. PTI SDE
DDC
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