CHINA: China yesterday claimed that separatists in its north-western Muslim region of Xinjiang had links with Osama bin Laden, writes Miriam Donohoe, Asia Correspondent.
In a report issued by the cabinet press office, it singled out the East Turkestan Islamic Movement which it said co-ordinated action with bin Laden and sent him fighters for training.
"The East Turkestan terrorist organisation has the unstinting support of bin Laden, and is an important part of his terrorist forces," said the report, which did not offer any evidence to support its claims.
China has tried to portray opponents of Chinese rule in Xinjiang as part of the global terror threat being fought by the US-led coalition. Washington has rebuffed the claim, calling instead for a political settlement in the region.
The report blamed separatists for 162 deaths in Xinjiang between 1990 and 2001.
It gave unusually detailed accounts of attacks on government officials and pro-Beijing religious figures and others.