BEIJING, Dec. 24 (INP) Representatives from China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan while addressing the International Seminar on Joint Response to Terrorism said that the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement terrorist forces pose a serious threat to the peace, security and people's welfare in China, relevant countries and the whole region.

They emphasized that cooperation should be enhanced to fight them and safeguard regional and global security.

The seminar was held yesterday under the New Circumstances held by the CIIS.

According to the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian, Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui delivered a keynote speech.

Chinese academics talked about China's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization work. Participants held candid and in-depth exchange, which helped them to build up consensus, enhance mutual trust, share experience and promote cooperation.

The Chinese side pointed out that non-traditional security threats require transnational responses. Response to non-traditional security issues should be based on a coherent and sustainable approach; we need a long-term view instead of knee-jerk reaction.

Opting for unilateralist and bullying practices, a certain country has politicized counter-terrorism and turned it into a convenient tool.

This has caused serious disruption to international counter-terrorism cooperation, and we all need to be on high alert. In fighting terrorism, the world must firmly uphold international common understanding, adopt effective measures, follow a unified standard, and eradicate the breeding ground of terrorism.

All participants hold that the pandemic has complicated and aggravated the international counter-terrorism situation, but the international community should always uphold multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and jointly deal with non-conventional security threats including terrorism.

They asserted, we must apply a unified standard and reject double standards unequivocally. We must defend international consensus and reject politicizing counter-terrorism or using it as a tool for selfish gains.

We must adopt comprehensive measures to treat both the symptoms and the root cause, attach importance to preventive counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts, and eliminate the breeding ground of terrorism.

We must be open and inclusive and oppose linking terrorism with any particular country, ethnicity or religion.