Mr. President,

China thanks Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Director Coninsx for their briefings, and welcomes the report of Secretary-General Guterres on the threat posed by ISIL to international peace and security. China also listened carefully to the statement made by Dr. Joana Cook, Senior Research Fellow of International Center for the Study of Radicalization.

The recent terrorist attacks that took place successively in Afghanistan and Syria resulted in tremendous harm to the countries concerned. Terrorism is the common enemy of mankind that knows no borders. No country could respond to it alone. Faced with such a challenge and bound by the shared destiny, the international community should effectively implement a common, integrated, cooperative and sustainable security concept, effectively implement relevant Security Council resolutions, strengthen cooperation to jointly respond to the threat of terrorism in light of its new trend and characteristics.

First, we should go further to build international consensus on counter-terrorism. The international community should adhere to a unified standard, adopt zero tolerance and a non-discriminatory attitude in resolutely combating terrorists regardless of where they are, what pretext they use, which countries they target against and what means they resort to. In fighting terrorism at the international level, we should respect the sovereignty of the countries in question as well as the main responsibility of the countries concerned against terrorism, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and have the United Nations and the Security Council play their leading role.

Second, we should make joint efforts in addressing the root causes of terrorism. The international community should push for political settlement of regional issues, assist member states in achieving their economic and social development and poverty reduction and alleviation, refrain from linking terrorism with specific ethnic and religious groups, and promote dialogue on an equal footing among civilizations and religions for harmonious coexistence, and endeavor to build a new type of international relations.

Third, we should dismantle the terrorists’ network of cross-border movement. The terrorist organizations have suffered heavy losses in Iraq and Syria recently, but the terrorist fighters’ movement and “return” still pose a serious threat to the security and stability of countries of origin, transit and destination. The countries concerned should strengthen cross-border control and law enforcement cooperation, share intelligence resources, and strengthen capacity building to jointly deter the flow of terrorist fighters.

Fourth, we should fight against terrorist activities conducted with the use of the internet. Cyberspace and social media have become an important means for terrorist organizations to incite terrorist activities, recruit terrorist fighters and plan terrorist attacks. The international community should strengthen regulation in the internet sector, block terrorist organizations from using the internet to spread extremist ideologies and conduct terrorist financing. The UN counter-terrorism agencies should strengthen coordination and help developing member states strengthen counter-terrorism capacity building in cyberspace.

Mr. President,

China is an important member in the international fight against terrorism. Over the recent years, China has been deeply involved in the work of multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, taken an active part in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review and the High Level Meeting of Member States Against Terrorism, and assisted members in their counter-terrorism capacity building through China-UN Peace Development Fund, making an important contribution to the international fight against terrorism. China will continue to participate in and promote multilateral and bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, and do what we can to provide assistance to other developing countries in counter-terrorism materials and capacity building. China is ready to work together with all other countries to jointly address the threat of terrorism and violent extremism in safeguarding world peace and tranquility.

Thank you, Mr. President.