China calls for stronger global counterterrorism cooperation at UN Security Council

China called for stronger international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and urged the international community to address emerging risks posed by new technologies at a UN Security Council open debate on counterterrorism on Friday.

Before the meeting, council members and participants stood for a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The Security Council later issued a presidential statement reaffirming that international terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. It also expressed concern over the use of emerging technologies, including the internet, satellite communications, virtual assets and unmanned aerial vehicles, for terrorist activities.

Sun Lei, the charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said that over the past 25 years, global counterterrorism cooperation has continued to deepen. However, the international terrorist threat persists and is taking on new characteristics, including decentralization, fragmentation and the misuse of emerging technologies for terrorist activities.

The international community should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold the UN's central coordinating role and address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism, Sun said.

"The Security Council should promote the political settlement of hotspot issues, resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation, and eliminate the conditions that breed terrorism," Sun said. He also called on the international community to oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of counterterrorism efforts and to avoid linking terrorism with any particular country, ethnic group or religion.

Meanwhile, China urged stronger action against terrorist organizations, tighter border controls, greater intelligence sharing and enhanced joint counterterrorism efforts. Sun also called to strengthen the counterterrorism law-enforcement and independent response capabilities of all countries, particularly developing countries, while enhancing coordination with regional organizations.

On the risks posed by emerging technologies, China called for improved governance rules and regulatory frameworks, as well as greater support for developing countries to build their capacity to harness new technologies for counterterrorism.

China will continue to actively participate in counterterrorism cooperation under frameworks including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS, Sun said.

"China will continue to share its counterterrorism experience with the international community, help relevant countries strengthen their counterterrorism capacity, and play a constructive role in advancing global counterterrorism cooperation," he said.