(Photo by Li Muzi, Xinhua News Agency)

China appreciates Egypt’s initiative to convene this Security Council open debate on countering the narratives and ideologies of terrorism. China also welcomes Foreign Minister Shoukry’s presiding over this meeting. I thank Deputy Secretary-General Eliasson for his briefing. I also listened carefully to the statements made by Chief Secretary Afifi and Vice-President Crown.

Terrorism constitutes a grave threat to the international peace and security and is a common challenge for mankind. The international community should resolutely combat terrorism, wherever and whenever it occurs and whatever form or manifestation it may take. A unified standard should be adhered to and no link should be made to any particular ethnic group or religion. Efforts should be made to abide by the purposes and principles of Charter of the United Nations, build consensus among Member States, take coordinated and concerted actions, integrate political, economic, legal, cultural and educational measures, aiming to eliminate the roots of terrorism.

At present, terrorist and extremist forces are taking advantage of new technologies, such as the Internet and social media, to deliberately distort and misinterpret religious doctrines, propagate terrorist ideology and extremism and incite hatred, discrimination and violence. A portion of the population in some countries, the youth in particular, are swayed by terrorist ideology and extremism to commit terrorist and extremist acts that inflict severe harm. That has become a prominent trend in the current fight against terrorism. The international community should pay close attention to that and join hands to address it.

First, it is imperative to eradicate the foundations of terrorist ideology. Terrorism is rooted in terrorist ideology and violent extremism. All countries should incorporate countering terrorism into their national security and development strategies; oppose the use of distorted religious doctrines or any other means to incite hatred, discrimination, violence and other extremist behavior; and resolutely combat such narratives and behavior. Efforts must be made to follow the law and crack down places used to spread and disseminate terrorist ideologies and extremism, and offenders must be held accountable. We should launch counter-terrorism education to raise public awareness.

Secondly, we must cut off the channels used for spreading terrorist ideologies. New technologies, such as the Internet and social media, have been used by terrorists as a new platform to spread terrorist ideologies and extremism. The international community must take effective measures to prevent terrorist organizations from using the Internet to disseminate audio and video materials to incite violence; spread terrorist ideologies and extremism; and recruit for, finance, plan and carry out terrorist activities. All countries must strengthen their relevant legislation and law enforcement, step up their Internet surveillance and control and prohibit the transmission of and effectively delete information containing terrorist and extremist content. Internet service providers must enhance their self-discipline and raise their legal awareness and sense of responsibility by taking the initiative to take down the relevant content in a timely manner.

Thirdly, we must enhance cooperation and strengthen the international counter-terrorism network. In combating the spread of terrorist ideologies and extremism, the primary responsibility of national governments should be clarified and the leading and coordinating role of the United Nations and the Security Council must be brought into full play. All parties should fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and enhance information exchanges, border control and law-enforcement cooperation; combat terrorist groups cross-border training and their export and spread of terrorist ideologies and extremism to other countries; and cut the cross-border movement of terrorists.

Fourthly, it is essential to promote dialogue inter-civilization dialogues and build a new type of international relations. Dialogue and exchanges are an effective means to promote understanding among different civilizations, religions and cultures, bolster mutual inclusiveness and achieve common development. The United Nations and the international community should vigorously promote inter-civilization dialogues characterized by mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness; advocate learning among various civilizations; foster a social environment where different ethnic groups, cultures and religions are treated as equals with harmonious coexistence; build a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and create a community of shared future for mankind.

China is an important member of the international counter-terrorism front. Not long ago, China promulgated the Anti-terrorism Law and thereby committed itself to stepping up the fight against terrorism and promoting international cooperation in this field. As is clearly set out in the Anti-terrorism Law, importance must be attached to countering the narratives and ideologies of terrorism and extremism, fighting against extremism in all its forms and manifestations that seeks to incite hatred and discrimination and advocate violence by distorting religious doctrines or other means, thereby removing the ideological roots of terrorism. In conformity with the provisions of that Law, China will prevent and fight against terrorism, maintain national security and the safety of its people and their properties, actively take part in and promote bilateral and multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, resolutely counter the narratives and ideologies of terrorism and advance international counter-terrorism cooperation to make continued progress in a common effort to maintain world peace and stability.