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)