BEIJING, China, July 08, SPA -- Chinese President Hu Jintao changed plans to attend a summit of major economic powers in Italy, instead returning home to address ethnic violence raking northwestern China, state-run media reported Wednesday. Tensions have been simmering in Urumqi, the capital of China's far-west Xinjiang region, where violent demonstrations over the weekend have left at least 156 people dead and more than 1,000 injured, CNN reported. The unrest in Urumqi was brought under control with a massive presence of soldiers and anti-riot squads, the government said Tuesday. Curfews were in force in major districts of the capital. Several small protests erupted despite the heavy police presence and were quickly defused. More than 1,400 suspects had been detained by Tuesday morning, the Xinhua news agency said, citing government officials conducting the investigation. Taking Hu's place at the Group of Eight economic summit this week in Italy will be Dai Bingguo, China's state councilor, Xinhua said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/682406