Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. Photo: VCG

The East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a terrorist organization that has planned and carried out a series of violent terrorist attacks both inside and outside of China, has increased its connections with international and regional terrorist forces such as the Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda, posing a serious threat to China's overseas interests and the security and stability of relevant countries and regions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Thursday, stressing that combating ETIM is China's core concern in counter-terrorism and shared responsibility of the international community. 

Wang’s remarks came as Turkish authorities formally arrested 25 suspects in connection with the shooting of a man during a service at a church in Istanbul in January. One of the suspects was formerly a Chinese citizen but had obtained Turkish citizenship, with the suspect being identified as having links with ETIM and IS. 

Wang noted that ETIM, also known as the “East Turkistan Islamic Party,” has planned and carried out a series of violent terrorist attacks both inside and outside of China. It is a UN Security Council-listed terrorist organization and is also listed as a terrorist organization by the Turkish government. 

In recent years, ETIM has increased its connections with international and regional terrorist forces such as IS and Al-Qaeda, and has been actively involved in planning and carrying out terrorist activities against overseas Chinese targets, posing a serious threat to China's overseas interests and the security and stability of relevant countries and regions, said Wang.

The spokesperson emphasized that terrorism is the common enemy of humanity, and the reports once again demonstrate that ETIM is a seriously harmful terrorist organization. Combating ETIM is China's core concern in counter-terrorism and is also the shared responsibility of the international community, he said.

Wang noted that China is willing to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation with the international community, including Turkey, to resolutely combat ETIM and jointly maintain international and regional security and stability.

Global Times