New law to counter terrorism not targeting specific regions, religions: official

China's newly adopted Counterterrorism Law does not target any specific region, ethnic group or religion, a legislative official said.

Rather, the legislation aims to protect all people who are threatened by terrorism, Li Shouwei with the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee legislative affairs commission, said at a press conference at the end of a week-long session of China's top legislature.

Li pointed to a provision in the law which stipulated that religious freedom and ethnic customs and traditions should be respected in counterterrorism work.

No discrimination based on regional, ethnic or religious differences shall be allowed, it said. Enditem