SA condemns 'terrorist attack' in China

Johannesburg - The government on Wednesday condemned the "terrorist attack" in Xinjiang, China, in which nearly 100 people were killed.

"We believe that terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned," international relations department spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a statement.

"The South African government sends it deepest condolences to the government and the people of... China, and in particular to the families of the deceased, and wishes the injured speedy recoveries."

AFP reported that dozens of civilians and assailants were killed and injured in the attack by a gang armed with knives and axes on Tuesday.

The violence was described as a "terror attack" that killed or wounded dozens of Uighur and Han civilians.

Xinjiang is home to China's mostly Muslim Uighur minority.

The Han are China's largest ethnic group, whose members have migrated in large numbers to Xinjiang in recent decades.