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Combating ETIM is a core concern of China's counter-terrorism efforts; China, Syria to step up security coordination: FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 18, 2025 06:11 PM

While responding to a question regarding Syria's reported plans to hand over Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) militants to China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that combating the ETIM is a core concern of China's counter-terrorism efforts. The Syrian side has pledged not to allow any entity to use Syrian territory to engage in activities that harm China's security, sovereignty and interests. China and Syria have agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in counter-terrorism and security fields and combat all forms of terrorism, Mao said.

A reporter asked at the routine press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday for China's response over Syria's reported plans to hand over ETIM militants to China, noting that Syrian foreign affairs chief Asaad Hassan al-Shibani visited China for the first time on Monday.

Regarding the meeting between the foreign ministers of China and Syria, Mao said the Foreign Ministry has released relevant information.

"ETIM is a terrorist organization designated by China and listed by the UN Security Council. Combating ETIM is a core concern of China's counter-terrorism efforts," Mao said.

The spokesperson said the Syrian side has pledged not to allow any entity to use Syrian territory to engage in activities that harm China's security, sovereignty and interests. China and Syria have also agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in counter-terrorism and security fields and combat all forms of terrorism.

During the Monday talks between Chinese and Syrian Foreign Ministers, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised the issue of the ETIM, per a readout released by Chinese Foreign Ministry. Wang called on the Syrian side to take effective measures and remove security obstacles to the steady development of China-Syria relations. Al-Shibani noted that he values China's security concerns, and will not allow any entity to use Syrian territory to engage in activities that harm China's national security, sovereignty, or interests.

The two sides issued a joint statement on Monday after the meeting, in which both sides stressed the need to combat all forms of terrorism and agreed to step up coordination and cooperation in counter-terrorism and security fields.