Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said in Beijing on
Thursday that facts have proved the separatist-minded "East
Turkistan" terrorists have become a faction in the international
terrorist movement.
Zhang made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to
a journalist's question, asking her to comment on a report by
senior US defense officials that "Chinese Uygur people joined the
combat in Taliban troops."
Zhang pointed out that the "Chinese Uygur people" mentioned by US
officials "are actually separatist-minded 'East Turkistan'
terrorists."
She said that the "East Turkistan" terrorist force has close links
with international terrorist forces and "at least several hundred
of these separatist-minded terrorists" once received training in
Afghanistan.
She reiterated that China is willing to make joint effort with the
international community to fight against all manners of terrorism,
"including the 'East Turkistan' terrorist force."
(Xinhua News
Agency November 22, 2001)