URUMQI, China (Reuters) — Tensions lifted in China’s far western city of Urumqi, in turmoil over a spate of needle attacks, after two high officials were fired and doctors’ reassurances relieved angry and fearful city residents.

Han Chinese said they were relieved by military doctors’ testimony that the needle attacks would not spread AIDS, but not fully satisfied by the sacking of city party secretary Li Zhi and regional chief of police Liu Yaohua.

On Thursday and Friday tens of thousands of Han Chinese demonstrated to call for the resignation of regional party secretary Wang Lequan, saying he had failed to ensure their security after the government blamed hundreds of reported needle attacks on separatists. Some also tried to storm Uighur areas.

“Firing the two leaders should make things better. But it’s too early to say if the needle attacks are over,’’ said a fruit seller surnamed Ge.

The Xinhua news agency did not give a reason for Li and Liu’s departure.

Both had been in office on July 5, when 197 people, mostly majority Han Chinese, died in deadly rioting by Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking Muslim group native to the region.

Han Chinese took to the streets this week in fear and anger, saying the government had failed to prosecute the rioters and to protect citizens, as rumors of needle attacks swirled around a city that has been cut off from the Internet and has had limited phone access for two months.

“We thought you could get AIDS or something, and kids and women were stabbed so it was really terrifying,’’ said a Han Chinese man surnamed Shou, who sat on a stoop with several friends studying the doctor’s testimony in the newspaper.

“Now, we know that even if you are stabbed, it’s not a big deal, so that’s a relief. The main thing is that people aren’t really hurt.’’

Uighur residents returned to shops and markets, saying that the July riots and this week’s demonstrations had destroyed business and scared off visitors to the city.