Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun summoned Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby and lodged a solemn representation to the Australian side on its allowing Rebiya Kadeer, leader of the separatist World Uygur Congress (WUC), to visit Australia.

Zhang expressed China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the Australian side on its allowing the visit, a press release of the Foreign Ministry said.

Zhang demanded it immediately correct its wrong doings and do not allow Kadeer to visit? Australia and engage in anti-China separatist activities in the territory of Australia, the ministry said.

The WUC led by Kadeer is believed to have masterminded the July 5 Xinjiang riots that left at least 197 people dead and 1,600 others injured.

(Xinhua News Agency via China Daily August 1, 2009)