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China objects to Xinjiang group holding summit in European Parliament
The BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 19, 2001
ext of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)
Beijing, 19 October: Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun Yuxi expressed strong dissatisfaction with and indignation at the European Parliament's permission for "East Turkestan" (ET) activists to hold a seminar in its parliament building.
Sun made the statement when asked to comment on the fact that the European Parliament (EP) on 17 October permitted the "East Turkestan National Congress" to hold a seminar in the EP building.
Sun said the EP, ignoring China's repeated objections, permitted some "ET" activists to hold the seminar in its building, thus providing a place for anti-China activities.
Sun pointed out that the "ET", a terrorist force whose aim is to split China, has made, in close collusion with international terrorist organizations, a large number of horrific terrorist attacks in China and in its neighbouring countries causing great casualties.
While the international community is strengthening cooperation against terrorism, Sun noted, the "ET" has continued to be engaged in activities which aim to split China in the name of human rights, democracy and safeguarding the rights and interests of ethnic minorities.
Sun said that no matter how it changes its appearances, its terrorist nature can not be changed, and the so-called "ET" seminar is nothing but a farce.
He stated that the EP insisted on providing a venue for this terrorist organization, which runs counter to the current international trend when the international community is strengthening cooperation in anti-terrorism.
This action will undoubtedly harm severely the EP's image in Chinese people's hearts, hurting Chinese people's sentiment and damage the development of Sino-European relations, pointed out the spokesman.
The Chinese side hopes that the EP would concretely follow the spirit of international cooperation in anti-terrorism, take into consideration the general situation of safeguarding Sino-European relations and take effective measures to curb the "ET" activities in European Union countries so as to facilitate the sound and smooth development of Sino-European relations.
Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 0403 gmt 19 Oct 01/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC. World Reporter All Material Subject to Copyright
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ETIC REPORT 2000 
