'The business has been slack since July, when the monthly sales was only 600 yuan. I plan to clear the stock and leave Xinjiang,' said a shop owner, a native from east China's Jiangsu province.

Security presence in the city remained heavy Sunday. Hundreds of Armed Police were seen in the People Square at the city centre. Police were still blocking Xinmin Road, which links to a viaduct leading to the southern part of the city, an area densely populated by Uighur people.

Xinjiang regional governor Nur Bekri said Sunday that the regional government would send thousands of officials to communities in Urumqi to help resolve disputes and maintain social order.