The leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish party has said the safe zone Turkey which the United States are creating in Syria is an attempt by Ankara to stop Kurds from forming their own territory.

Halkların Demokratik Partisi chairman, Selahattin Demirtas said Turkey's operation against Islamic State militants across the border was a cover to target PKK Kurdish rebels.

He urged both Turkey and the PKK to return to the peace process.

Ankara earlier said PKK attacks on Turkey made peace attempts impossible.

Meanwhile, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Beijing for a state visit to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Mr Erdogan is leading a delegation of businessmen in talks expected to focus on economic ties, but talks may also cover Turkey's controversial plans to buy a Chinese long-range missile system.

His visit comes after recent diplomatic tensions over China's treatment of its Muslim Uighur people who have close cultural and religious ties with Turks.

About one hundred Turkish business leaders and investors are accompanying Mr Erdogan on the visit which will end tomorrow.