Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters that her country objected to the selective use of the word 'terrorism' by other countries on Thursday. "We cannot understand why terrorism, when it takes place in other countries, is regarded as terrorism, but [is labeled] 'ethnic and religious issues' when it takes place in China," she told reporters. "And we cannot understand why other countries' counter-terrorism acts are justified, but China's counter-terrorism actions are the so-called repression of ethnic groups," she added. Hua Chunying stressed that China's position on the matter has remained clear and consistent. She said that China resolutely opposes linking terrorism with certain nationalities or religions, and is up in arms about "double standards" when it came to whether or not attacks were attributed to terrorism. She also said that China is opposed to terrorism in all its forms and that Beijing has repeatedly warned against carrying out any terrorist attack in the name of a certain idea. However, the selective use of the word terrorism reflects absurd logic and double standards, ultimately revealing political prejudices, Hua Chunying said. She added that terrorism is the common enemy of mankind, a fact that she said is recognized by the international community. Last month, another Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hong Lei, said that Beijing is poised and ready to cooperate with Russia and the entire international community to jointly fight the terror threat.
