Riots in Urumqi this week have seen the death of 156 people, with an underscore of a huge influx of paramilitary.

Leadership had decided that shock and awe was necessary in order to cull the fears of Han Chinese attacked by ethnic Muslim Uighurs and to stop the riots. 

Li Zhi, the city's communist Party chief, has vowed that the death penalty will be imposed on those that continue with the most serious crimes.

20000 security forces have poured into the city as a result. 

The display of security forces entering the city included white armoured personnel carriers, water cannon trucks and vans equipped to fire tear gas. 

Some of the trucks in the parade had slogans emblazoned on their sides, including "Smash the separatists", and "Bring peace to the city". 

The riots have been described as the worst in 60 years of Communist Party rule. 

Those dead are said to have been stabbed, hacked and burnt to death.

Over 1100 people have been injured.