Poverty eradication crucial for rooting out extremism: Chinese envoy

Poverty is one of the important factors for the growth of extremism, and the international community should work to eradicate poverty so as to eliminate its breeding grounds, said a Chinese envoy here on Tuesday.

Wang Min, China's deputy representative to the UN, made the remarks at a General Assembly debate on promoting tolerance which is initiated to discuss practical strategies to foster inclusive societies and counter extremism.

Noting that violent extremism and terrorism are common enemies to the world, Wang said the international community should unite and make concerted efforts to combat them, and use all necessary means to cut off their source of financing.

"Efforts to counter terrorism and combat violent extremism must not adopt double standards, let alone linking terrorism and extremism with specific ethnic groups or religion," he said.

In addition, Wang said the international community should work for harmony among different civilizations, cultures and religions by promoting dialogues and exchanges among them.

"Only through communication and dialogue can different civilizations, cultures and religions dissolve misunderstanding and coexist in harmony," he said. "We should treat different civilizations, cultures and religions as equals and promote mutual respect among them."

"China will continue to staunchly support and actively participate in international efforts to promote the dialogue and cooperation among different civilizations, cultures and religions, and cooperate with all other countries in resolutely combating terrorism and violent extremism, thus making greater contribution to the promoting of world peace, stability and prosperity," he added. Endite