FM calls for UN's leading role in global war on terrorism

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a UN Security Council summit on terrorism in New York, Sept. 24, 2014. Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the international community to come up with "new thinking and new steps" in its response to terrorism. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday that the United Nations and its Security Council should play a leading role in the global war on terrorism.

While speaking at a UN Security Council summit on terrorism, Wang underlined that as terrorism raises its ugly head once again, the international community must adhere to the practices that have been proven effective and abide by international law and norms governing international relations.

"First, we must ensure sound coordination," he stressed.

"The United Nations and its Security Council have to play a leading role in the global war on terrorism," he said. "This is the only way to maintain unity, achieve effective coordination and take concerted actions."

Secondly, Wang noted, the international community must adopt a multi-pronged approach.

"The global war on terrorism should be fought with an integrated approach that includes measures taken in the political, security, economic, financial, intelligence and ideological fields with a view to addressing both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism, especially removing its root causes and breeding ground, " he said, adding that military actions must comply with the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Chinese foreign minister also stressed that the international community must follow a consistent standard in the global war on terrorism.

"Any act of terrorism, in whatever form, whenever and wherever it is committed, and whomever or whatever it is targeted against, must be fought resolutely," Wang said. "No double standards should be adopted, still less should terrorism be identified with any particular ethnic group or religion."

The Chinese Foreign Minister reiterated the importance to work together to address the common threat of terrorism.

China has resolutely opposed all forms of terrorism and will continue to stand firm and participate in international cooperation against terrorism, he said, noting China welcomed the convocation of the UN Security Council summit on Terrorism and the resolution adopted by the Security Council Wednesday.

"The resolution, which reflects the common will of the international community, should be implemented effectively and in a comprehensive and balanced manner," said Wang. "In the face of justice and unity, terrorism has no place to hide and will be thoroughly defeated."

Wang also pointed out that the Middle East countries are on the frontline of the war on terrorism, thus it is extremely important for them to work in unity and coordination and to put aside their differences, pledging "China firmly supports the regional countries in their counter-terrorism efforts."

The Chinese Foreign Minister also voiced China's support for Iraq in its efforts to enhance its counter-terrorism capacity- building, saying China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with various parties in intelligence sharing and personnel training.

According to him, China will provide more emergency humanitarian assistance to Iraq, including its Kurdish region.