China security chief says nation must step up ‘de-radicalisation’ efforts to fight terrorism
Meng Jianzhu says Beijing must ensure political security is put in first place and deepen anti-separatist struggle and maintain ethnic and national unity
China needs to deepen its fight against separatists, intensify “deradicalisation” efforts, and increase global cooperation to defend against terrorism, says the mainland's domestic security chief.
The Chinese government said it was facing a threat from Islamist militants and separatists in the far western region of Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uygur people, where hundreds have died in unrest in the past three years or so.
Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, has already called for greater international cooperation in its fight against Xinjiang radicals in the wake of the Paris attacks last Friday.
Read more: Massacre at Chinese coal mine: Knife-wielding separatists blamed for attack in Xinjiang that killed at least 50 as racial tensions flare
Writing in the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily on Tuesday, Meng Jianzhu, Secretary of the Central Politics and Legal Affairs Committee, made no direct mention of Paris, but said a country's “rise and fall” would depend on how it secured itself.
We must ensure that political security is put in first place, tightly prevent and strike hard against the infiltrating, subversive activities of enemy forces in accordance with the law
“We must ensure that political security is put in first place, tightly prevent and strike hard against the infiltrating, subversive activities of enemy forces in accordance with the law,” Meng said.
“We must deepen the anti-separatist struggle and resolutely maintain ethnic and national unity.