US sanctions on Xinjiang terror leader welcomed

Beijing yesterday welcomed Washington's move to slap sanctions on the leader of the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIP), saying fighting the terror group is in the interest of both countries.

Washington on Monday imposed financial sanctions on Abdul Haq, the ETIP leader alleged to have tried to carry out attacks in the run-up to and during last year's Beijing Olympics.

The US Treasury Department released an online statement announcing the sanctions on Haq, a Xinjiang native. He has been on the Chinese police list of most wanted terrorists since October last year.