Beijing brands Uighur activist a "terrorist"

China has stepped up a campaign against an exiled Uighur activist nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. Rabiya Kadeer, who now lives in the US, was called a "terrorist" by Xinjiang Communist Party officials after a meeting Sunday, AFP reported, quoting state media. Officials said the exiled activist "clearly wants to destroy the peace and stability of Chinese society," said Nuer Baikeli, vice-head of the party in Xinjiang. The officials also said Rabiya had been involved with drug trafficking other illegal economic activities. The 59-year-old Rabiya testified before the Canadian parliament last month and called for the release from prison of two of her 11 children.