Healing wounds

Normal life has resumed, but under the watchful eyes of police, who patrol the streets and alleys armed with batons and shields.

The city's 3.5 million inhabitants have become accustomed to the heavy security. A young couple kiss on a bench as police in camouflage fatigues march by, but neither the police nor the couple notice each other.

Meanwhile, retired women wearing red armbands, members of the "joint defense teams for public security," offer help to strangers.

In a Geely Motor showroom, large photos hanging on the wall show scenes from the deadly riot. The showroom was looted and vandalized by rioters, with losses of more than 6 million yuan (882,000 U.S. dollars)

Sales manager Wang Xiangrong says business has been climbing steadily since it reopened in December, but it has yet to reach pre-riot levels.

Uygur dancing -- suspended after the riot -- has resumed at the Flaming Mountain Steamboat Restaurant, while in Apple's Father Restaurant, young Uygurs, Kazakhs and Han people dance to pop and Kazakh music.

Excavators move back and forth at Heijiashan Area, Tianshan District, demolishing one of Urumqi's shanty towns, which used to house 200,000 people. Most of the homes in Heijiashan had no utilities, gas or heating, and the area was considered a hotbed of crime and poverty.

Ablikim Mamet is negotiating with community workers on a contract for compensation for the demolition of his home. He has been in a dispute with the government on the total area of his 440-square-meter bungalow, half of which was unlicensed. He hopes to move into a new home after he reaches an agreement.

Ahat Wujit is a Uygur resident of Erdaowan East Community, where people from seven ethnic groups, including Han, Hui, Uygur and Mongolian, live. "I've seen many Han people learn Uygur dances on the square, and my wife usually dances with them. We never feel estranged.

"The rioters damaged our image and reputation, but my Han neighbors are still kind to us. I am grateful to them," Ahat says.

Alygul Parhat, a Uygur woman of 25, who lives in the community, left her mobile phone in a taxi after paying the driver and getting out.

"I dialed my number on my husband's mobile, but no one answered. I thought I had lost my cell phone. But later the Han driver called back and returned it to me," Alygul says.

"If we can help each other on small matters, then we can help each other when big things happen."