The chairman made the remarks on the sidelines of the parliament's annual session, in response to a question on terrorist activities in Xinjiang.

Xinjiang police crushed a terrorist training camp in January, in which 18 terrorists were killed and 17 others captured. The police also seized 22 hand grenades and more than 1,500 half-finished grenades, and some home-made explosives.

The training camp was run by the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a group that the United Nations in 2002 labeled a terrorist organization.

Leading terrorists in the camp had been trained by Taliban and Al-Qaeda and stole into Xinjiang later, according to Shi Dagang, chief of the Chinese Communist Party committee of Kashgar, Xinjiang.

"They were aimed at destabilizing Xinjiang, overthrowing and disrupting local political regime, and splitting the country," Shi said.

"We will not allow such terrorist groups in Xinjiang," Shi added.

Meanwhile, Ismail Tiliwaldi said "at present Xinjiang is very safe and peaceful."

The number of investors and tourists to Xinjiang is on the rise due to growing social stability. A total of 66 foreign companies were registered in Xinjiang last year, bringing more than 50 billion yuan of investment to the region.

Xinjiang also received 350,000 foreign tourists and 16.5 million domestic tourists last year, according to the chairman.

The chairman said the Xinjiang government is determined to speed up economic and social development and make sure people from all ethnic groups benefit from the achievements.

He vowed to strengthen international cooperation in the crackdown on terrorism to safeguard the interests of the people.