Published by: THE WORLD UYGHUR NETWORK NEWS October 7, 1997

AGENCIES, South China Morning Post, 10/07/97

AGENCIES Kazakh Defence Minister Muhtar Alteinbaev has pledged his Government's support for China's efforts to combat Muslim unrest.

Meeting Prime Minister Li Peng in Beijing, Mr Alteinbaev said his Government strongly opposed Muslim separatist activities in China and had banned its citizens from getting involved, Xinhua reported.

Alarmed by an upsurge in bombings, assassinations and other violence among Muslims living in remote northwestern Xinjiang, which borders Kazakhstan, China has sought to boost its ties with all neighbouring Central Asian nations.

Mr Li, who recently visited Kazakhstan, hailed closer co-operation with the nation in oil development and other areas during his meeting at the weekend with Mr Alteinbaev, Xinhua said.

Chinese Defence Minister General Chi Haotian, in talks with Mr Alteinbaev, called for boosting military ties across the 1,700-kilometre border.

China has also sought to increase trade and other economic ties with Central Asia, hoping to boost the relatively backward economy of its far west.

At the weekend, Mr Li also met General Mongkon Ampornpisit, the supreme commander of Thailand's armed forces, Xinhua said.

During the meeting in Beijing, the military chief presented Mr Li with a letter from Thai Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh expressing appreciation for Chinese support during Thailand's financial and economic crisis.

Mr Li cited "fruitful exchanges" between the two countries' defence forces since the normalisation of diplomatic ties 22 years ago, the report said.