On 19 April 2022, the Chinese side, as Chair of the Subgroup on De-Radicalization of BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group, organized a virtual meeting of the Subgroup.

Mr. Yao Shaojun, Minister Counsellor of the Department of External Security Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, chaired the meeting and made a keynote speech on behalf of China. The meeting was also attended by senior officials responsible for diplomatic and counter-terrorism affairs from South Africa, Brazil, Russia and India. Mr. Aniwar Syit, Director General of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, gave a briefing on the experience and fruitful outcomes of de-radicalization in Xinjiang.

Yao said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to de-radicalization. Based on international experience and domestic conditions, and in light of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, China has adopted integrated steps to address both the symptoms and root causes of extremism, which has produced notable results. China has thus made important contribution to the global de-radicalization endeavor. Yao also elaborated on China’s relevant experience and put forward suggestions for international cooperation.

Participants agreed that in advancing counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, it is important to fully respect countries’ sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity, without interference in domestic affairs. Double Standards must be rejected. Terrorism and extremism should not be linked with any specific area, ethnicity or religion. With extremism being a global challenge, BRICS countries have both the responsibility and capability to play a positive and constructive role in de-radicalization, and to vigorously promote international cooperation on de-radicalization.

On 19-20 April, the Chinese side also attended meetings of subgroups on countering terrorist financing, capacity building, countering foreign terrorist fighters, and misuse of Internet for terrorist purpose, chaired by South Africa, Brazil, Russia and India respectively.

(Source:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China)