(New York, 20 January, 2003)

Mr. President,

The past year has witnessed impressive achievements in global and regional cooperation on counter-terrorism, extensive implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and a smooth progress in the work of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee. Never before has terrorism been so vigorously contained and combated. However, we must be clear-headed about the enormity and protractedness of our mission against terrorism. The al-Qaeda, the Jemaah Islamiah, the 揈ast Turkistan?terrorist forces and the Chechen rebels are still posing a grave threat to peace, security, life and well-being of human societies and seriously challenging people抯 wish for peace, cooperation, development and progress.

Mr. President,

The world we live in is now undergoing profound and complex changes. The frequent occurrence of terror attacks, in a way, mirrors what is going on at the deeper level in many countries. The fight against terrorism will be a protracted war as it involves many aspects of endeavors. We should look at the international struggle against terrorism from an overall and historical point of view and promote it at a macro and strategic level. In this connection, the Chinese Government wishes to share the following views.

First, the kernel of counter-terrorism is the maintenance of peace and security of mankind. Rendering this world or its regions unstable is the goal of terrorists and also what they depend on for survival. Since counter-terrorism aims at removing such threats against peace and security, all measures, means and methods adopted by the international community should be brought to serve this purpose and contribute to easing and ending international or regional tensions, rather than anything in the opposite. We must pay particular attention to the possible impact or ramifications of such hotspot regional issues as the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan on the development of international counter-terrorism and international cooperation in this area. It is incumbent on the international community to embrace a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation so as to create a favorable macro-environment for the struggle against terrorism.

Second, the basis of counter-terrorism is the common development and prosperity of all countries. Backwardness and impoverishment engender conflicts and turmoil. The prolonged violence and poverty in some developing countries have made them easy prey to the manipulation of terrorists. When it comes to stronger development efforts and tougher moves against terrorism, we must be careful not to promote one at the expense of the other but to give equal emphasis to both. Only when we succeed in achieving common development by helping each other economically, can we eradicate the cancer of terrorism once and for all. Only when we narrow the wealth gap and make societies fairer and more equitable, can we deprive terrorist activities of the soil of existence. And only when we truly fulfill the global development strategy that allows all to exist, to win and to enjoy the benefits of prosperity, can we deny terrorism its last sanctuary.

Third, the guarantee of counter-terrorism is the closer communication and integration among civilizations. Terrorism is a common enemy of all civilizations, ethnic groups and religions. Given their difference in history, customs and beliefs, we ought to encourage all countries, ethnic groups, civilizations and religions to respect one another, live with one another in peace and harmony, seek common grounds while shelving differences, and learn from each other in an open and accommodating manner. The diversity of civilizations is a source of human progress. Counter-terrorism should provide different civilizations with a new opportunity to learn from each other through mutual exchanges, a new starting point for their dialogue and integration, and a new engine for their common progress and prosperity, rather than a cause for greater ethnic hatred, racial conflict, clashes of civilizations or estrangement between peoples.

Fourth, the key to counter-terrorism is stronger and deeper exchanges and cooperation among nations in the world. As a challenge at the global level, terrorism must be dealt with jointly by countries working hand in hand. What has transpired in the past year shows that no country can, or should, stay away from the international campaign against terrorism. The success of this campaign requires the solidarity, cooperation and the broadest united front of all countries. It requires concerted actions, with the UN playing a leadership role. It requires a clearly-defined direction with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and universally recognized norms of international law serving as the guideline.

As the focal point of the international regime of collective security, the Security Council is duty-bound to provide guidance to nations, global or regional organizations in their operations against terrorism and facilitate a more effective cooperation in this area. The Counter-Terrorism Committee should do a good job in coordination and move more quickly in formulating detailed plans for closer international cooperation against terrorism.

Mr. President,

China attaches great importance to counter-terrorism. In his report to the recently held 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Jiang Zemin called for strengthened international cooperation to address both the symptoms and causes of terrorism, guard against and crack down hard on terrorist activities and eliminate the roots of terrorism with stepped-up efforts.

China is a responsible country that loves peace, treasures peace and endeavors to defend peace. But at the same time, China is a victim of terrorism. The 揈ast Turkistan?terror organizations have perpetrated numerous terrorist attacks in China抯 Xinjiang and the neighboring regions of Central Asia, seriously threatening peace and security in these areas. In September last year, the Security Council put the 揈ast Turkistan Islamic Movement?(ETIM) on the list of terrorist organizations, a move that consigned the 揈ast Turkistan?group into the dustpan of history. Let me thank the various countries for their understanding and support and pledge our readiness to join all the parties in a determined and effective fight against the 揈ast Turkistan?forces of terror.

Mr. President,

Counter-terrorism cooperation among countries is a defender of peace, a driving force behind progress and a sword for justice. We are convinced that reason will prevail over brutal force and light over darkness. The Chinese people stand ready to work with other peoples in opposing and combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations and advance the noble cause of peace and development in the world.

Thank you, Mr. President.