China to set up counter-terrorism intelligence center: law

China's first counter-terrorism law, which was adopted by the top legislature on Sunday, stipulates that a national intelligence center will be established to coordinate inter-departmental and trans-regional efforts on counter-terrorism intelligence and information.

The law calls for intensified efforts to collect counter-terrorism information, which should be reported to the center in a timely manner.

Technological means of reconnaissance can be employed following strict approval procedures to support the efforts of counter-terrorism intelligence and information, the law stipulates.

It adds the information obtained in this way should only be used for investigation, prosecution and trials of terrorist and extremist crimes.

Those who leak individual privacy, state secrets and confidential business information will be punished.

The law stipulates that authorities should rely on members of the public and strengthen ability to collect information at grassroots level.

Lawmakers approved the legislation Sunday afternoon at the end of a week-long bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The new law comes at a delicate time for China and for the world at large - terror attacks in Paris, the bombing of a Russian passenger jet over Egypt, and the brutal killings of hostages committed by the notorious Islamic State (IS) extremist group are alerting the world about an ever-growing threat of terrorism.

Before Sunday's new bill, China did not have a specialized counter-terrorism law, though related provisions feature in various NPC Standing Committee decisions, as well as the Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law and Emergency Response Law. Endit