China Lauds Pakistan's Airstrikes on Militants

Beijing: China today said its "all-weather ally" Pakistan has made a positive contribution to counter terrorism by launching air raids on terror camps in North Waziristan in which a number of Islamist militants from Xinjiang have been killed.

"Pakistan is the victim of international terrorist activities. It has also sacrificed a lot for international counter-terrorism campaign and made positive contribution to that end," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing today.

She made the remarks in reply to a question on Pakistan Air Force's strikes on militant hideouts in the tribal areas two days ago.

"There are reports of some East Turkistan Islamic Movement terrorists also being killed in the strikes," Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency said while quoting Pakistan military officials.
The Pakistan Army had said over 50 "terrorists, mostly Uzbek" were killed in air strikes on their hideouts in North Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan.

212 militants have been killed in the air raids in Pakistan in the last three days.

Advertisement

"As an all-weather strategic partner and good neighbour of Pakistan, China has supported and will support as always Pakistan's anti-terrorism strategy based on its national situation," Hua said.

The ETIM is believed to have regrouped its fighters in the lawless Waziristan tribal region with the help of the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups in the volatile region, the Xinhua report said, making a rare reference about militants from Xinjiang taking shelter in Pakistan.

Advertisement

ETIM, which is fighting for the independence of the Xinjiang, is active in the province which is experiencing a spate of terrorist attacks.

The native Uygur Muslim population there is restive over the increasing settlements of Hans from other provinces leading to several riots.

Advertisement

The outfit has also carried out some of the most deadly attacks outside Xinjiang, including a suicide car attack at the Tiananmen Square last year, followed by knife attacks at railway stations in Chinese cities like Kunming and Guangzhou.

China and Pakistan have never spoken out publicly about ETIM bases in the latter's territory.
However, security officials in Xinjiang blame militant training camps in Pakistan.
Xinjiang borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan.

Advertisement

The ETIM figured prominently in the recent official statements, especially during the visit of Pakistan Army Chief Raheel Sharif earlier this month, during which he promised to step up the crackdown.

Hua said as a friendly neighbour of Pakistan, China always firmly supports the implementation and promotion of the counter-terrorism security strategy by the Pakistani government in accordance with its national conditions.

Advertisement

She said the ETIM is an international terrorist organisation designated so by the United Nations Security Council.

It is a common enemy faced by the whole international community.

To crackdown on ETIM is an important part of international counter-terrorism campaign, she said. China is ready to work with the Pakistani side to continue to make positive contributions in safeguarding the security of the two countries as well as the region and the world at large, she said.