State media reported Saturday that China has sent an elite anti-terrorism unit to the restive region of Xinjiang in the wake of recent violence there.

The official China Daily newspaper said the Snow Leopard commando unit will be based in Aksu city, about halfway between the regional capital of Urumqi and Kashgar, where violent attacks took place in July. More than 20 people died late last month in two separate incidents.

The paper said the commando unit would also be used to boost security for the China-Eurasia Expo, a large trade convention set for Urumqi the first week of September.