China vows crackdown on terrorist, separatist publications

 China will stem illegal publications whose content involves "Tibet independence" as well as terrorism, separatism and extremism, according to the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office.

At a Monday meeting, Jiang Jianguo, vice head of the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, stressed that the country's campaign against illegal publications should safeguard long-term social stability and security.

Jiang, a key official in the campaign, called for a severe crackdown on illegal religious activities and promotional materials as well as the online dissemination of illegal religious information.

He noted that the theme of the campaign is "anti-separatism, anti-sabotage and anti-infiltration."

Local offices were told to focus on illegal publications that promote separatism, religious extremism and instigate terrorist and violent activities.

Also at the meeting, Li Changjiang, a senior official with the office, urged anti-illegal publication officials at all levels to "strengthen management and control of key aspects and intensify online supervision."

A separate Monday statement from police authorities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region said that an anti-terror movement had seen 32 gangs busted, over 380 suspects apprehended, and 315 people convicted in one month.

The campaign was launched after the May 22 bombing of a market in the regional capital Urumqi killed 39 people.

Local police also confiscated about 100 computers and 1,700 books on terrorism and religious extremism during raids on 21 illegal preaching sites and training camps.