UPDATE 1-Exiled Uighur leader rejects China riot accusations

* Chinese allegations said "completely false"

* Kadeer said warned relatives to avoid protests

* Protests sparked by beatings in southern China (Updates with quotes, background)

By Paul Eckert, Asia Correspondent

WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - Exiled Uighur businesswoman and activist Rebiya Kadeer rejected on Monday Chinese allegations that she was behind rioting in China's northwestern Xinjiang region in which at least 156 people were killed.

Chinese state media quoted unnamed officials as blaming the World Uyghur Congress led by Kadeer for the violence, after protesters from the Uighur minority took to the streets of the regional capital Urumqi on Sunday, burning and smashing vehicles and shops, and clashing with police.

"These accusations are completely false," Kadeer said through an interpreter in Washington.

"I did not organize any protests or call on the people to demonstrate."

Kadeer told reporters she called her brother when she learned of the violence in Urumqi to warn her 40 relatives in the region to stay away from the demonstrations.