BEIJING, China: Following a rise in violence in China’s western region of Xinjiang, the country will set up a national anti-terrorism intelligence system.
The initiative is a part of a proposed anti-terror law which is aimed at improving intelligence gathering and the sharing of information across government departments.
“China will set up an anti-terrorism intelligence gathering center to coordinate and streamline intelligence gathering in the field, according to a draft law submitted for reading on Monday,” the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The report said that the security law will also enhance international cooperation to face “a serious and complex struggle against terrorism.”
It said that other changes to the proposed intelligence center will focus on the management of the Internet, the transport of dangerous materials and border controls.
“[People guilty of] promoting terrorism and extremism by producing and distributing related materials, releasing information, instructing in person or through audio, video or information networks will face more than five years in prison in serious cases,” Xinhua said.
Hundreds of people have been killed in China’s Muslim-majority Xinjiang Uighur region in the past two years.
