Premier Zhu Rongji Tuesday applauded the recognition of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as an inseparable part of China by the Turkish Government.

During his meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, chairman of Turkey's ruling party, the Justice and Development Party, Zhu spoke highly of Turkey's stance that it will not allow anyone within its country to engage in activities to separate China.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Erdogan said the Turkish Government will continue to stick to the one-China policy and respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He added Turkey opposes terrorism of any kind and stands willing to cooperate with China to fight against it.

East Turkistan elements, including the "East Turkistan Islamic Movement," which is on a United Nations (UN) Security Council list of terrorist groups, have resorted to terrorism in the hope of setting up an independent state in Xinjiang.

The two leaders also exchanged their views on the Iraqi issue, according to the Chinese spokesman.

Both sides held that the issue should be resolved peacefully via the UN and hope a new war will not break out in the region.

Erdogan is in China for a four-day visit.

Sino-Turkish cooperation has witnessed smooth development in recent years, indicated by the year-on-year growth in trade.

Official statistics show the trade volume between China and Turkey reached US$905 million in 2001, with Chinese exports hitting US$674 million.

With Turkey added to China's list of tourist destinations, bilateral contact and exchanges are expected to be further boosted.

Zhu yesterday invited Turkish enterprises to participate in construction projects for the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 World Expo.

(China Daily January 15, 2003)