China calls for effective ways to meet terrorist threats ( 2003-09-03 09:31) (Xinhua)
China on Tuesday urged the
international community to push ahead with the anti-terrorism campaign from a
global perspective so as to curb the spread of terrorist forces and effectively
meet the threat of terrorism.
It is imperative for countries to do so because international terrorist
activities are presently "characterized by multifarious targets, hi-tech means
and cyber organization," said Zhu Mingshan,a Chinese lawmaker attending the
ongoing forth General Assembly of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace
(AAPP) here.
The anti-terrorism campaign needs strengthened international cooperation, as
what has happened in recent years shows that all countries may fall victims to
terrorism, which knows no boundary, Zhu, a member of China's National People's
Congress Standing Committee, told an AAPP workshop.
He said both the root cause and symptoms should be stressed while addressing
the terrorism issue. "Prolonged backwardness, huge wealth disparity, and social
injustice, among others, have to a large extent bred terrorism. Local
disturbances, racial hatred, ethnic clashes and religious conflicts have
provided terrorism with space for operation," he elaborated.
It is impossible to eradicate terrorism "unless we implement a global
development strategy based on co-existence, mutuality and sharing of success and
prosperity and promote common development and prosperity of all humanity," Zhu
said.
The Chinese lawmaker also said that communication and mutual understanding
between civilizations should be strengthened in combating terrorism.
Counter-terrorism "should not incur new contradictions or disturbances ... be
linked up with a particular country, people or religion, nor should it aggravate
ethnic conflicts, religious feud, clashes of civilizations or estrangement of
people," he said.
China will continue its fruitful cooperation with countries in Asia and the
world at large on the basis of "cooperation as equals, reciprocity and mutual
benefit," Zhu said, adding that the Chinese legislature is ready to work
together with other parliaments in Asia to crack down on terrorism.
The 37-member AAPP, which opened its fourth general assembly on Monday, is
the largest regional parliamentary organization in Asia and the most influential
platform and channel for dialogue among Asian parliaments and legislators.
The AAPP, formally launched in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, in September
1999, is committed to promoting peace through dialogue and policy-making for the
cause of political, economic and social development.