It is true that the effects of these meetings should not be overestimated, but they did serve to enhance the legitimacy and legality of various secessionist movements, and even sent the signals to the secessionists that they are supported by the U.S. government. Is this kind of encouragement irrelevant?

Secondly, the United States is a major financial source of secessionist organizations. Though for known reasons, it is always difficult to find the specific amount of donations provided to secessionists, we do find some relevant statistics. According to a report on the website www.ccgp-fushun.com on August 12, 2009, the NED (National Endowment for Democracy) provided $2.24 million to various secessionist organizations by June 2009, and more than half million in 2008. Judging by the rising tensions in Xinjiang, the NED sponsorship was probably even higher in the years after 2009.

When they are questioned by Chinese scholars about NED's support of Xinjiang secessionists, U.S. scholars always argue that NED is an NGO beyond the restrictions of the U.S. government. But that is obviously a pretext. Despite being an NGO, NED actually receives its majority of finance either from the Congress or the Department of State. Can it really be independent?

The United States has every reason to stop supporting secessionists, who want to achieve their purposes via terrorism as various recent terrorist acts indicate. The United States itself is a victim of terrorism, as 9.11 showed. How can it fight against terrorism while being indifferent to counter-terrorism in other countries? Remember that China strongly supported the United States in its counter-terrorism efforts following 9.11.

The United States claims that it is a global leader, recognized by a large number of states. But a leader should be committed to values and the principles of right and wrong. Supporting secessionists might be an effective measure to check its geopolitical rival, but should it override values? And the assumption that China will be a geopolitical rival is also poorly based. Why would a peaceful developing China challenge the United States?

Both China and the United States are victims of terrorism, and cooperation in this regard would benefit both sides. The consensus that China and the United States should jointly build new type of great power relations even requires that they cooperate in fighting against terrorism.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://china.org.cn/opinion/jinliangxiang.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.