2015年CRI China Adopts First Counter-terrorism Law

Lawmakers approved the legislation on Sunday at the end of a week-long bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing 1 Committee.

An Weixing, head of the Public Security Ministry 2's counter-terrorism division, says threats from terrorism are on the rise in China.

"In recent years, China has faced a more serious threat from violent terrorists, caused by rising international terrorist activities, and the influence of those activities on domestic and overseas "East Turkestan" forces. Terrorist activities have imposed a severe threat to national security and social stability, economic development, national unity 3 and people's lives and property."

The law defines terrorism as any proposition or activity -- that, by means of violence, sabotage 4 or threat, generates social panic, undermines public security, infringes 6 personal and property rights, and menaces government organs and international organizations -- with the aim to realize certain political and ideological 7 purposes.

A national leading organ for counter-terrorism work will be established, which will be in charge of identifying terrorist activities and personnel, and coordinate 8 nationwide anti-terrorist work.

The state will provide financial support for key regions listed in counter-terrorist plan.

A national intelligence center will also be established to coordinate inter-departmental and trans-regional efforts.

The new law, which takes effect in the beginning of next year, gives central government the power to temporarily freeze the funds of organizations suspected of financing terrorism.

An Weixing from the Public Security Ministry says the law establishes basic principles for counter-terrorism work and strengthens measures of prevention, handling, punishment as well as international cooperation.

"The clause of the anti-terrorism law is based on our previous experience and lessons China has learned from other countries. The law provides a set of standards for the government and the public to fight against terrorism. And the enforcement of the law will provide legal support and guarantees for the country to combat terrorism, improve public security, protect people's lives and property, and improve collaboration 9 with the international partners on counter-terrorism activities."

Under the new law, telecom operators and internet service providers are required to provide technical support and assistance to police and national security authorities in prevention and investigation 10 of terrorist activities.

They should also prevent dissemination 11 of information on terrorism and extremism.

Li Shouwei of the National People's Congress Standing Committee says the rule accorded with the actual work needed to fight terrorism and was basically the same as other major countries.

"With the development of the technology, many terrorists have taken advantage of the Internet to incite 12 and propagate terrorism. Some terrorists organize activities online, which poses a threat for the international community. On this issue, referring to other countries' measures, we should on one hand analyze 13 and modify some regulations, and law enforcement agencies should take necessary measures. On the other hand, we should stipulate 14 corresponding responsibilities for telecom operators and online service providers. It will not affect companies' normal business nor install backdoors to infringe 5 on intellectual property rights, or citizens' freedom of speech on the internet and their religious freedom."

The new law comes at a delicate time for China and for the world, as terror attacks in Paris and the brutal 15 killings 16 of hostages committed by Islamic State extremists are alerting the world about an ever-growing threat of terrorism.

For CRI, I'm Guo Yan.