The 2nd Falconry Festival was held on March 21st at a village in Akqi County, Xinjiang, China. Hundred of falcon tamers, mainly Kyrgyz people, performed various demonstrations during the event.
Falconry (hunting with eagles/falcons) has a long history in the region; Kyrgyz nomads have been hunting with golden eagles for thousand of years. The eagles are known as Berkut in local language, and the activity is called Berkutchi.
16 Chinese policemen have been killed in an attack on a border post in northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region this morning (Aug 4).
Two attackers drove a tip lorry to hit a team of policemen who were jogging through the street in a morning exercise at about 8:00am before throwing home-made explosive to the barracks and hacking other policemen with knifes.
14 policemen were killed on the spot and two others died on the way to hospital; 16 others are injured. [Xinhuanet]
The two attackers had been arrested; and the authorities are suspecting this as a terrorist attack with the East Turkistan Islamic Movement in mind.
The Chinese press seems to be playing down the issue as the Beijing Olympics is looming near… but the incident is certainly going to raise further fear on the safety and security during the Olympic Games.
