URUMQI: Internet service in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will be gradually restored following nearly six months of closure after the deadly July riot in the capital, the region's information office said yesterday.

Residents in Xinjiang yesterday started to have access to two websites: xinhuanet.com and people.com.cn.

Access to even the two websites is restricted. Users in Xinjiang cannot leave comments or access the forum section on the websites, nor can they use the email services provided by the websites.