Uighur leader rejects Al-Qaeda support

8220;Global terrorists should not take advantage of the Uighur people8217;s legitimate aspirations and the current tragedy in East Turkestan to commit acts of terrorism targeting Chinese diplomatic missions or civilians,8221; she said.

Algerian-based offshoot Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has threatened to target Chinese interests,according to international consultancy Stirling Assynt.

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese work in the Middle East and North Africa,including 50,000 in Algeria,estimated the group,which has offices in London and Hong Kong providing risk advice to corporate and official clients.

China has accused Kadeer or masterminding recent violence in Xinjiang and said she is backed by 8220;terrorists.8221;

Kadeer denies the charges and US lawmakers have introduced a resolution demanding that China stop its 8220;slander8221; of the 62-year-old former businesswoman and mother of 11,who spent six years in a Chinese prison.