According to Chinese officials, 198 people have been sentenced for acts committed during deadly riots eight months ago in the northwest Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

State-run news agency Xinhua reported that Nur Berkri, chairman of the Xinjiang Uighur autonomous regional government, told a news conference in Beijing, "The investigation, prosecution and trial are still going on, and the final figure of the people sentenced will be more than that."

"Any criminal activity that undermines social order and damages people's life and property will be punished by law," he further added.

197 people were killed and more than 1,700 injured in the riot in the Xinjiang regional capital of Urumqi July 5, 2009. According to the reports which came in December said that 22 people had been sentenced to death for their role in the riots. (With Input from Agencies)