Xinjiang authorities begin winter campaign to ensure security before Chinese New Year

Chinese authorities in Xinjiang said they have launched a “Winter Operation” to beef up security in the restive western region in the run-up to the Lunar New Year. Though the campaign is part of a nationwide security operation introduced by China’s Ministry of Public Security in November 2024, Xinjiang is its primary focus, experts on the region say.

Regional public security authorities said the campaign zeroes in on managing “areas with complex security situations” by intensifying crackdowns on “violent terrorist activities” and the early detection and elimination of potential security risks to ensure stability during the holiday period which runs Jan. 28-Feb. 4.

The Xinjiang Public Security Bureau has instructed its counterparts at city and township levels to arrange specific measures for launching the Winter Operation with a focus on “absolutely ensuring social security during the 2024 winter season and 2025 Spring Festival period,” according to a Xinjiang media report.

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