BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC), will publish an editorial Friday highlighting stability in Xinjiang as "the most important and pressing task currently."

    The expression was almost the same words used by Chinese President Hu Jintao during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Thursday to discuss the issues relating to the Xinjiang riot.

    The riot on Sunday evening in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has led to the death of at least 156 people. More than 1,000 others were injured.

    According to the editorial, the riot has caused serious losses to the lives and property of people of various ethnic groups, and has severely undermined the normal social order and stability in the city.

    In the past few days, local authorities have addressed the needs of innocent civilians hurt during the riot, and are working on a plan to comfort those affected, the editorial read.

    The livelihood of residents have been ensured, urban utilities are in smooth operation, and social order has been quickly restored, it said, adding social stability conforms with the best interests of all people.

    "To maintain social stability, we need to isolate and crack down hard on a handful of people... who masterminded, organized and committed serious violence during the riot," it said.

    In the meantime, those who were merely deceived and incited to violence should received proper education and be won over, the editorial read. People who have seen their relatives killed or hurt, and those who have suffered property losses during the riot, should receive proper aid to get through the difficulties, the editorial said.

    It urged Party and government departments as well as all Party members in Xinjiang to further ensure the basic livelihood of residents, and rely on the people to maintain social stability.

    It also called on citizens to abide by the country's laws and regulations, to fight outlaws and criminal activities, and to protect ethnic unity.