Diplomats visiting Xinjiang call for anti-terrorism cooperation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-12 03:18

URUMQI:Foreign envoys visiting the riot-hit Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China called for closer cooperation among the international community to crack down on terrorism after watching an exhibition on the July 5 riot on Tuesday.

"I have seen some photos (of the riot) before I came to Urumqi, but I still feel very shocked now for the tragic incident," said Pakistani ambassador to China Masood Khan.

"Children lost their parents, wives lost husbands, the elderly people lost their offspring.

This should not have taken place at all," he said. "We fully support the Chinese government's stand in cracking down on 'the three forces'of terrorism, separatism and extremism."

Diplomats from 26 countries and regions to China began a five-day visit to Xinjiang on Monday,

a month after the deadly riot in the regional capital of Urumqi which left 197 people dead and more than 1,600 others injured.

At the invitation of the regional government, they are expected to, through the visit, acquire a better understanding of Xinjiang's development over the past several decades in various sectors, including its politics, economy, ethnic and religious policies, preservation of cultural relics and the livelihood of local residents.

Murat Salim Esenli, Turkish ambassador to China, said the timing of the riot was not accidental.

The image of Xinjiang is changing for the positive to the world, but some people did not want to see the positive image and tried to sabotage the development and stability of the region, he said.

Esenli said countries should cooperate with each other in face of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The "three forces" have become a common threat to almost all countries in the world, said Esenli,adding that "no single country can deal with the problem alone, they should cooperate with each other."

A large number of weapons seized from terrorist cells were displayed during another exhibition on the achievements of anti-terrorism and anti-separatism in Xinjiang.

The diplomats who visited the scene of the exhibition said it's necessary for the Chinese government to take measures to fight against terrorism and protect the safety of the people.

According to the regional public security department, the "three forces" had launched some 1,000 attacks in Xinjiang since 1990, killing more than 160 people. Some 648 terrorist cells and violent criminal groups had been wiped out by the public security forces.

"We have to share information and technology in the field of fighting against terrorism," said Esenli.

Afghan ambassador Sultan Ahmad Bahee said his country is also a victim of terrorist attacks, particularly suicide bombings.

"We strongly request the international community to combat terrorism hand-in-hand," said Bahee.