URUMQI: Downtown streets in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, were quiet late last night, hours after traffic control was imposed following large protests.

There were few pedestrians on downtown streets. Police persuaded about 100 people to leave the Nanhu Square in front of the municipal government.

Earlier yesterday, people gathered at several locations in downtown Urumqi yesterday to protest against hypodermic syringe attacks in Urumqi and demand better protection.