Xi urges Turkey to prevent separatist activities by "East Turkistan" forces

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping Tuesday urged Turkey to prevent "East Turkistan" forces from conducting anti-China separatist activities on its territory.

"China hopes that Turkey will continue to take effective measures to oppose and prevent anti-China separatist activities by 'East Turkistan' forces on its territory so as to ensure the healthy and steady growth of China-Turkey ties," said Xi at a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey 's largest city of Istanbul.

Xi stressed that the "East Turkistan" issue concerns China's national security and social stability, as well as its core interests.

Prime Minister Erdogan has reiterated that Turkey adheres to the one-China policy and respects China's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said.

The prime minister has also stressed on many occasions that Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and Turkey firmly opposes any person on its territory undertaking any activity detrimental to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi added.

"China appreciates these statements," Xi said.

For his part, Erdogan reaffirmed that Turkey has consistently adhered to the one-China policy, recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of the whole Chinese people, and never allowed any activity on its territory that aims to undermine China's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Xi arrived in Turkey Monday on an official visit at the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul.