The People's Daily, the Communist Party of China's mouthpiece, is to publish an editorial Thursday calling for the lawful punishment of those who commit violent crimes during the riot in northwestern China.

The unrest in Urumqi, capital city of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has led to the death of at least 156 people, with more than 1,000 others injured.

According to the editorial, the riot in Urumqi was "a serious violent crime and was in extreme violation of China's laws and regulations".

"China is a country ruled by law... Whoever violates our laws and regulations, undermines the social order, and encroaches other people's lives and properties, would be subject to due punishment in accordance with the law," it said.

Lawful punishment of the outlaws is key to serve justice, maintain social stability, enhance ethnic unity, and protect the safety of people's lives and properties, the editorial read.

It urged people to use China's laws and regulations as a weapon to prevent and crack down on violent crimes, and to restore social order as soon as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2009)