File picture shows Chinese paramilitary police in Urumqi, capital of China’s Xinjiang region/AFP
The riots happened at around 6am in Lukqun township of Shanshan County in Turpan Prefecture.
Knife-wielding mobs attacked the township’s police stations, the local government building and a construction site, stabbing at people and setting fire to police cars, officials with Xinjiang’s regional committee of the Communist Party of China confirmed.
Seventeen people had been killed – including nine policemen or security guards and eight civilians – before police opened fire and shot dead 10 rioters, the officials said on condition of anonymity.
Three rioters were seized at the scene and police were chasing those who had fled, the officials said without clarifying how many were at large.
Three people were injured by the mobs and were being treated at a local hospital.
Police have launched an investigation.
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