China has introduced new restrictions in the far western
region of Xinjiang in what it describes as a campaign against Islamist
extremism.
The measures include prohibiting "abnormally" long
beards, the wearing of veils in public places and refusing to watch state
television.
Xinjiang is the homeland of the Uighurs, a traditionally
Muslim group who say they face discrimination.
Recent years have seen bloody clashes in the region.
The Chinese government blames the violence on Islamist
militants and separatists.
But rights groups say the unrest is more a reaction to
repressive policies, and argue that the new measures may end up pushing some
Uighurs into extremism.
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