China maintains the world should acknowledge Pakistan’s fight against terrorism-- a shocking affront to those who are aware of Islamabad’s role in fuelling terrorism against India and Afghanistan

To the disappointment of peace lovers and anti-terrorism campaigners, China on Friday came in support of Pakistan on the terrorism issue, stating Islamabad has made “tremendous efforts” in fighting the menace and it should be acknowledged by the international community members.

“Terrorism is common challenge faced by all countries. And Pakistan has made tremendous efforts and sacrificed in fighting terrorism. The international community should fully recognize and respect that,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a media briefing.

The statement came after India and the United States issued a joint statement asking Pakistan to act against the use of its territory to launch terror attacks.

In a joint statement at the end of the 17th meeting of the US-India Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism and the third session of the Designations Dialogue held virtually on September 9-10, India and the US said that Pakistan needs to take “immediate, sustained and irreversible” to ensure that none of its territories is used for terrorist attacks.

“The two sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot,” the joint statement read.

The U.S. extended its support for the people and government of India in the fight against terrorism.

On the 19th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on the US, the Chinese foreign minister said, “All countries should work together to prevent and fight terrorism and safeguard the world’s peace and stability. So, on this very special day I would like to say that we hope the US won’t forget terrorism and Covid-19 are common enemies to all mankind. And China and Pakistan are not the enemies of the US.”

He further stated that the UN should play a leading role and China opposes double standards on counter-terrorism and the attempt to link terrorism to any specific country.

But this came just a few days after China at the BRICS foreign ministers meeting went in tandem with rest of the members of the group in condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whenever, wherever and whomsoever committed.

Media statement issued after the group’s foreign ministers’ meeting on September 4, markedly maintained that the group members reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to contribute further to the global efforts of preventing and countering the threat of terrorism on the basis of respect for international law and the UN Charter, emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility in combating terrorism.