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China maintains tight security in Xinjiang province<\/p>
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Police in China’s north-western region of Xinjiang are asking some residents to provide DNA samples and other biological data when applying for travel documents.<\/p>
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People in the multi-ethnic area of Yili will have to provide the samples before being allowed to go abroad.<\/p>
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The Chinese government is trying to crack down on periodic violence, which it blames on Islamist militants.<\/p>
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Many Muslims in Xinjiang say they are discriminated against.<\/p>
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They say the Chinese authorities often refuse to issue documents allowing them to travel.<\/p>
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Most of the Uighur ethnic minority, which makes up about 45% of Xinjiang’s population, practise the Muslim faith. Over the years China’s authorities have attributed violent attacks to Uighur militants, who they say are inspired or aided by overseas terror groups.<\/p>
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Uighur leaders have denied being behind the violence.<\/p>
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Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?<\/p>
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Did China’s crackdown on terrorism work?<\/p>
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The new restrictions on travel were announced in the Communist Party’s newspaper in Yili and in advertisements posted by local travel agents.<\/p>
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The announcements said that people would have to supply a blood sample, fingerprints, a voice recording and what police call a three-dimensional image.<\/p>
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The policy came into force on 1 June, just before Ramadan started. Civil servants and children are banned from fasting for the Muslim holy month.<\/p>
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