A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Thursday the "Chinese Uygurs" the US Defence Department accused of joining the Taliban in combat are "East Turkistan terrorists".
Zhang Qiyue told a regular briefing that at least several hundred have received training in Afghanistan.
"The East Turkistan terrorist force has become a part of international terrorism," said Zhang. "We are willing to work with the international community to crack down on all forms of terrorism, including the East Turkistan terrorist force."
Zhang stressed the leading role of the United Nations in providing a future solution to the situation in Afghanistan.
She added it is of paramount importance to push for an early consensus among various circles in Afghanistan to establish a provisional government.
China will actively support international decisions that are conducive to peace and stability in Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity, Zhang said.
"As Afghanistan's neighbour, China hopes peace will be restored in Afghanistan at an early date,'' said Zhang.
China has repeatedly stressed independence,sovereignty and territorial integrity and the establishment of a broad-based government decided by the Afghan people that can live in harmony with other countries as the basis for a peaceful Afghanistan.
Zhang also expressed China's willingness to resume its tradition of co-operating with Afghanistan in "its past peaceful days,'' and promised to actively participate in the country's reconstruction once peace is restored.
The spokeswoman also spoke about the Wednesday session of the regular consultations between China and Japan.
Zhang said that during the talks, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister Takano Toshiyuki agreed that the two countries will take next year's opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations to maintain the good momentum for improving and developing bilateral ties and promote exchanges and cooperation.
(China Daily November 23, 2001)
