Acting Under-Secretary-General Zouev,

Colleagues,

I thank the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation for co-organizing this event, which provides a platform for all parties to share practices on preventing and countering extremism. I applaud the Practice Handbook's release and anticipate that it will offer helpful direction to the global community in bolstering counter-terrorism collaboration.

Terrorism is a common enemy of human society. The infiltration and spread of extremist ideologies can easily breed terrorist acts, seriously threatening national security, social stability, and the human rights of citizens. Since the 1990s, the ETIM forces inside and outside China have strengthened their collusion, spreading religious extremist ideologies under the pretext of ethnicity and religion, and perpetrating thousands of violent and terrorist attacks in Xinjiang and other places of China, gravely infringing upon the life and property of people of all ethnic groups. Faced with the severe and complex situation, China has gradually explored a path to counter terrorism and extremism that suits its national conditions. I wish to share four points of experience:

First, strongly ensuring and improving people’s wellbeing, thereby eliminating the breeding ground for terrorist and extremist ideologies. Over the years, Xinjiang of China has spent over 70% of its fiscal expenditure on improving people’s wellbeing, continuously advancing a series of projects focused on employment, education, healthcare, social security, and housing that delivered tangibly for the people, lifting all impoverished rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty. The problem of absolute poverty in Xinjiang, which had existed for over a thousand years, has been historically resolved, laying a solid foundation for rooting out terrorism.

Second, upholding rule of law in theory and practice. China actively responds to the United Nations’ call for the rule of law in counter-terrorism, improves its counter-terrorism laws and regulations, and has specifically enacted local regulations on counter-terrorism and de-radicalization. We focus on source control of the channels for spreading terrorist and extremist ideologies, carry out public awareness campaigns to prevent terrorist and extremist activities, and prioritize rule of law outreach to grassroots communities and young people, so as to enhance citizens’ ability to resist the infiltration of terrorist and extremist ideologies. China has officially implemented the Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress today, aiming to promote the common prosperity and development of all ethnic groups, safeguard unity and oppose division, thereby further advancing the cause of ethnic unity and progress through the rule of law.

Third, remaining committed to the people-centered approach, and respect and protect human rights. China respects and safeguards the freedom of religious belief and ethnic customs and traditions of people of all ethnic groups, actively promotes the healthy and orderly transmission of all religions, and prohibits any discriminatory practices based on region, ethnicity, religion, or other grounds. We place emphasis on education and reintegration of relevant criminal suspects and jailed criminals, while extending help to those who have committed minor offenses or have been influenced by religious extremist ideologies, fully safeguarding their rights while helping them improve their employment skills and regain confidence in life.

Fourth, actively engaging in international counter-terrorism exchanges and cooperation. China works closely with relevant countries to combat international terrorist forces such as the ETIM, utilizes multilateral and bilateral platforms to establish cooperation mechanisms between law enforcement agencies and in border areas, and carries out practical cooperation in intelligence sharing, border control, case investigation, and counter-terrorism financing. China actively participates in counter-terrorism cooperation within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and others, shares experience with the international community, conducts training programs and supports international counter-terrorism projects, making positive contributions to enhancing global counter-terrorism capabilities and safeguarding common security.

The above-mentioned measures have effectively curbed the frequent and multiple occurrences of terrorist activities. China has not witnessed a single violent terrorist incident for several consecutive years, thereby maximizing the protection of the fundamental rights of people of all ethnic groups, including the rights to life, health, and development, and making important contributions to the international cause of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization.

Dear Colleagues,

As an important promoter of global counter-terrorism and de-radicalization cooperation, China firmly opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, ethnicity or religion, as well as groundless attacks and smears against other countries’ legitimate counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures. We are ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with all countries, jointly address the threats of extremism and terrorism, and make greater contributions to maintaining world peace and security.

Thank you.