ABC News
By China Correspondent Stephen McDonell
Posted Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:45pm AEDT

The Chinese Government has criticised Kosovo's decision to split from Serbia.

In a statement posted on the Foreign Ministry's website, China has expressed "deep concern" that Kosovo has declared its independence.

According to spokesman Liu Jianchao "All along China has deemed negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo to reach a mutually acceptable plan as the best way to resolve the Kosovo problem," he said.

Now, he said, China was "deeply worried about the grave negative impact" that Kosovo's unilateral declaration would have on the region.

As well as having links with Serbia, China is worried that its own regions of Tibet and Xinjiang might see an increased push for independence.