Kong said the US has officially informed China about the decision, which visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage revealed on Monday.

Kong said China and the United States shares extensive common interests in the field of anti-terrorism.

China is ready to make joint efforts, enhance mutual consultation and deepen bilateral cooperation with the US in the fight against terror.

Kong said ETIM and other East Turkistan organizations have joined international terrorist forces to create violent terrorist incidents inside and outside of China for a long time, posing severe threats to regional security and stability.

He said there is evidence connecting East Turkistan organizations with international terrorist forces.

Terrorism is a scourge on the international community that all nations should make joint efforts to combat, Kong said.

Armitage was in Beijing to meet Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, in preparation for President Jiang Zemin's October US tour.

He reiterated on Monday that the United States "does not support Taiwan independence.''

Armitage said he did not believe Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's "one country on each side'' statement will "interfere with the third summit meeting between US President Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin.''

He said the US Government judges ETIM as a terrorist organization that committed acts of violence on civilians.

Armitage said United States is inspired by China's efforts to jointly strike terrorist activities with the US and will cooperate with China to crack down on terrorist forces, especially to cut off their financial sources.

(People's Daily August 28, 2002)