Clashes in China’s Xinjiang province between Chinese and Uighurs have left 21 people dead, 15 of which were Chinese officials.
The Chinese authorities said the violence erupted after security forces conducted operations against “terrorist cells”.
But exiled Uighur groups said the clashes were caused when armed Chinese killed a young Uighur.
The US has urged China to investigate the violence and give due protection to all Chinese citizens, including Uighurs.
"We urge the Chinese authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation of this incident," State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell said.
He Uighurs should be provided with all the protections "to which they are entitled not only under Chinese constitutional laws but the international human rights commitments as well".
