The United States should not provide any platform for East Turkistan separatist remarks, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang in Beijing Thursday.

Asked to comment on Rebiya Kadeer's remarks attacking China's policy concerning the Xinjiang region, Qin said, Rebiya had committed criminal activities in China.

China allowed her to go abroad to receive medical treatment out of humanitarian concern, he said.

"Rebiya's remarks prove that she is closely connected with the East Turkistan separatist movement," Qin said at regular news briefing.

Qin called on the United States to not grant any platform for her to engage in activities aimed at separating China or undermining national unity.

There have been reports that Rebiya, a former businesswoman from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, had close relations with groups aiming to carry out terrorist and secessionist activities to sabotage the region's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Xinjiang has enjoyed fast economic growth and social stability in the past 50 years, and freedom and rights, including those religious, have received full protection in the region, Qin said.

Source: Xinhua