Anti-terror fight needs comprehensive approaches: Chinese defense minister

Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan on Wednesday said here that the international anti-terror fight needs comprehensive approaches.

"To fight against terrorism, a comprehensive approach should be taken through political, diplomatic, economic and cultural means in order to eliminate the root of terror," said Chang, also a state councilor, at the fifth Moscow International Security Conference held in Russia Wednesday.

According to Chang, the Chinese initiative of "One Belt, One Road," the modern version of the ancient Silk Road linking together Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, is the fundamental measure for advancing security through development.

The Chinese government and the country's armed forces are ready to cooperate with any other country in anti-terror fight and contribute to world peace, Chang said.

While stressing the urgency of fighting against terrorism, Chang called on every country in anti-terror cooperation to set aside ideological factors and respect each other, advocating communications and inclusiveness.

Chang also spoke against double standards, actions directed against a certain nationality or religion, interference in other countries' internal affairs and pursuit of one's own benefits at the expenses of global security.

It is necessary for the anti-terror mission to be conducted under the auspices of the United Nations and in accordance with the international laws, Chang stressed.

Chang introduced the Chinese experiences on combating the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a UN-listed terror group that launched a series of deadly attacks in different parts of China in recent years, including Beijing, Urumqi and Kunming.

China's top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), passed the Anti-Terrorism Law last December, while China earnestly implemented resolutions of the UN Security Council related to counter-terrorism, Chang added.

At the sideline of the conference, Chang met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and discussed the development of bilateral military cooperation.

Chang expressed China's willingness to cooperate with Russia, to maintain communication and coordination over regional and international hot-button issues.

The Chinese official said joint efforts should be made to further implement key cooperation projects between the two countries' armed forces, as well as the defense and security cooperation plan within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

On the part of Shoigu, he said the deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination helps to safeguard peace and stability of Eurasian region and the world.

Russia hopes that more practical cooperation with China will be carried out, Shoigu said, adding that Russia is ready to work with China on the organization of this year's joint drill, military contests and other activities. Enditem