China asks nations for lists of terrorist suspects ahead of G20 summit in Hangzhou
Aim is to improve security at the international meeting, likely to be held in September, state media reports
China is asking countries taking part in this year’s G20 summit in the Chinese city of Hangzhou to provide lists of possible terror groups and terrorists who might target the meeting, a state-run newspaper said on Thursday.-
The summit, expected to be held in early September, will gather major world leaders together like Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama.
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“We’re facing a grim task in fighting terrorism and we hope participating countries will work together with Chinese policy to ensure the safety of such large-scale meetings,” Hou Le, a senior Chinese counter-terrorism official, told the China Daily.
The newspaper added that China was asking police liaisons to hand over lists of groups or people who might be a security threat or target leaders at the summit.
“Risk assessments for possible attacks are also welcomed,” it added.
China says it faces a serious threat from groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which operates in China’s restive far western region of Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uygur people, where hundreds have died in violence in recent years.