President: Vital need for shield against terrorists
( 2003-09-27 01:01) (China Daily)
President Hu Jintao is urging all departments across the country to implement anti-terrorism measures to guarantee national security and public safety.
The "Great Wall" anti-terrorism excercise is held in Beijing on September 26, 2003. [Xinhua] |
Hu made the remarks on Friday after watching an anti-terrorism exercise in Beijing.
Greater efforts in combating terrorism are important for China to making use of strategic opportunities, creating a peaceful and stable environment, and better protecting and realizing the fundamental interests of the people, he said.
The rising threat of terrorism has negatively affected world peace and development, Hu said, adding that China is facing a realistic threat of terrorism after a series of major attacks in other parts of the world.
The Chinese Government adamantly opposes terrorism in all forms, and advocates international co-operation to fight the threat. The president called the anti-terrorism exercise a demonstration of the government's determination to oppose terrorism and safeguard world peace.
The drill, called "Great Wall 2003,'' was based on lessons learned from terrorist attacks abroad.It focused on the authorities' emergency action and mobilization of anti-terrorism forces.
Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice-President Zeng Qinghong, and China's top security official Luo Gan also attended the exercise at a training base of the Chinese People's Armed Police.
The country has held many anti-terrorism drills to improve people's awareness of public security.
An anti-hijacking exercise was held on Thursday at Beijing Capital International Airport as part of a test by China's civil aviation authorities of the country's preparedness for airborne emergencies.
"Although the overall situation in China is stable, increasingly active terrorism worldwide means we are facing mounting threats,'' Vice-Minister of Public Security Tian Qiyu said.
China and other members of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization jointly held an anti-terrorism exercise from August 6-11. It consisted of two phases, the first in Kazakhstan and the second in China.
During the exercise, the coalition forces displayed their military competence and signed an agreement on military co-operation.
It is imperative for countries to conduct anti-terrorism drills because international terrorist activities are presently "characterized by multifarious targets, high-tech means and cyber organization,'' said Zhu Mingshan, a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.
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