China calls for comprehensive measures to tackle problem of foreign terrorist fighters

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for comprehensive measures to tackle the problem of foreign terrorist fighters.

Speaking at a Security Council meeting on the issue of foreign terrorist fighters, Wu Haitao, the charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), said comprehensive measures must be taken to remove the root causes and hotbed of terrorism.

Terrorism is a common enemy of mankind. Facing this challenge, the international community must realize that we are all in a community of shared future and thus enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, bring into full play the leading role of the UN and the Security Council, respect the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respect the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of all countries, said Wu.

He also stressed the need to follow a uniform standard and to reject the practice of associating terrorism with specific ethnicity or religion.

Wu said effective measures must be taken to stop the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.

The countries neighboring conflict zones in particular should strengthen border control and law enforcement cooperation and take concrete measures to stop the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, he said.

The UN counter-terrorism agencies and relevant international organizations should play their due role, establish databases and information exchange platforms on the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, share intelligence and block the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, and assist member states in capacity building on the basis of respecting their sovereignty, he said.

Wu also called for more efforts to combat terrorist activities conducted by using the Internet.

The flow of foreign terrorist fighters and financing for terrorism have become easier, more hidden and more international, he noted. The Internet and social media are being used by terrorist organizations to conduct incitement, recruit fighters and plan terrorist attacks.

The international community should block the use of social media for the spread of extremist ideologies, strengthen Internet supervision, and stop terrorist organizations from using the Internet to expand and finance, he said.

Wu asked to respect the diversity of civilizations and tackle the root causes of terrorism: wars and conflicts, ethnic hatred, and poverty and backwardness.

The international community should remain committed to assisting member states in poverty alleviation, strengthening political settlement of regional issues, promoting inclusive, universal and balanced development, creating a sound environment for dialogue on equal footing and peaceful and harmonious coexistence of different civilizations and religions, establishing a new order of international relations and building a community of shared future, he said.

China is firmly opposed to terrorism in all its forms and has participated actively in multilateral cooperation mechanisms. China is ready to join hands with other countries and international organizations to address the challenges of terrorism and maintain world peace and stability, said Wu. Enditem