Use the law to tackle terrorism in Xinjiang, China’s security chief says

Chen Wenqing urges authorities to ‘normalise’ counterterrorism efforts and abide by ‘scientific’ legislation in combating extremism

Chen made his first trip to the region since taking up his new role in October

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China introduced its first counterterrorism law in 2015, issuing specific directives for implementing the legislation in Xinjiang the following year. photo: Shutterstock

Published: 7:00pm, 20 Jun 2023

Security personnel should make use of China’s legal infrastructure to counter terrorism and extremism in the country’s far western region of Xinjiang.

That was the message Communist Party security chief Chen Wenqing delivered during a five-day trip to the region that ended on Sunday, according to state news agency Xinhua.

“[Authorities should] resolutely combat terrorist and extremist crimes in accordance with the law,” Chen said on his first visit to the region since becoming head of the party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission late last year.

“[We should] strengthen the construction of supporting laws and regulations, and promote the resolution of enforcement and judicial issues at the institutional level,” he said, stressing the need for a “scientific” approach to legislative tools.

“[We should promote] strict law enforcement and skilfully use legal tools to maintain stability and combat crime.

“[We should] advance impartial justice, enabling people of all ethnicities to have faith in the rule of law.”

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