The security situation in China's northwestern region Xinjiang will be "more severe" this year, the regional governor said here Friday.

"The (security) situation will be more severe, the task more arduous, and the struggle more fierce in the region this year," Nur Bekri, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, said on the sidelines of the annual parliament session.

This year marks the region's 60th anniversary of peaceful liberation.

"It's a time of celebration for Xinjiang people but hostile forces will not give up such an opportunity to destroy it," said Nur Bekri.

He added that the region did a lot of security work for last year's Beijing Olympics, but "this year's fight against the 'three forces' of separatists, terrorists and extremists is more arduous."

The "three forces" were funded by foreign organizations, he said, adding they could not survive without foreign support.

"They don't want to see Xinjiang's prosperity," he said.

Source: Xinhua