MOSCOW, May 22 -- Russia on Thursday strongly condemned a terror attack in the northwest Chinese city of Urumqi, which has claimed dozens of lives.

"Russia is shocked with what has happened in Urumqi. We categorically condemn that bloody, barbarous act and hope its organizers will be found and prosecuted," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters.

Moscow had been interested in strengthening anti-terror cooperation with China, the spokesman said.

Explosions occurred Thursday morning at an open air market in Urumqi, capital of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, leaving at least 31 dead and 94 injured.

Two vehicles, without license plates, broke through roadside fences and plowed into people at the market, and explosive devices were set off, said a statement issued by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's publicity department.

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to severely punish terrorists and spare no efforts in maintaining stability.