The US Federal Bureau of Investigation opened an office in Beijing at the end of October, South China Morning Post said. The role of the office is to work with the Chinese government to stop drug trafficking, organised crime and terrorism. Speaking at the opening ceremony, US Attorney-General John Ashcroft praised the Chinese government's co-operation in the fight against terrorism. He also said that the FBI would remain dedicated to religious freedom and human rights but now recognised the Uighur separatist movement in northwest China as a terrorist organisation.