BEIJING - China has sentenced 198 people involved in 97 cases in connection with a deadly riot eight months ago in the northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a senior local official said Sunday.

"China is a socialist country ruled by law, and the dignity of law allows no violation and the interests of people cannot be encroached upon," he said.

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

The riot in the Xinjiang regional capital of Urumqi on July 5, 2009 left 197 people dead and more than 1,700 injured.