A Chinese counter-terrorism official has pledged to resolutely prevent and crack down on terror and protect citizens' rights in accordance with the country's first counter-terrorism law.
The new law, adopted by China's top legislature in December and took effect in January, includes stipulations on preventing, detecting, handling and punishing terrorism, said Liu Yuejin, counter-terrorism commissioner of the Ministry of Public Security.
Also, with provisions of the law about international cooperation, China will work with other countries in fighting terrorist forces abroad, to root out the sources of terror at home, Liu said.
The new law also encourages participation by the public and spells out protection of citizens' personal and property rights.
Liu said the definition of the term "terrorism" in the law was inspired by a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) counter-terrorism convention, and the UN's Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism.
According to the new law, "terrorism" is defined as any proposition or activity -- that, by means of violence, sabotage or threat, generates social panic, undermines public security, infringes on personal and property rights, and menaces government organs and international organizations -- with the aim of realizing political and ideological purposes.
Liu explained that the word "proposition" refers to systemic terrorism ideas that are already widespread. "It is to deter and punish the circulating ideas and will not criminalize any unuttered state of mind or unimplemented attempts."
The law also defines extremism and penalties.
The official stressed that the law gives full attention to the balance between cracking down on terrorism and protecting citizens' rights.
People or organizations identified as being involved in terrorism can ask for a review of such decision and any limit to personal and property rights must undergo strict scrutiny and approval, Liu said.
The law specifically prioritizes the protection of terror victims during emergency response operations, Liu noted.
CONCERNS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Liu refuted the saying that the law infringes companies' copyrights and the people's freedom of speech on the Internet, adding cyberspace has become an important tool for terrorists to organize and implement attacks.
In recent cases, most terrorist conducted crimes under the influence of online materials promulgating terrorist thought, and some major cases were initiated and commanded by overseas terrorists through the Internet, Liu said.
