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)