China enhances efforts to combat violence in name of religion

China is enhancing its strength in joining the international efforts to combat various violence and terrorism attacks carried out in the name of religion.

A representative from the China Mission to the United Nations Office stressed in Geneva recently that China is committed to the construction of a harmonious society but opposed to all acts of violence or intolerance committed in the name of religion.

"Harmony is one of the core values of the Chinese society. China advocated religious tolerance by actively promoting harmony," the official said.

Earlier this week during an interactive discussion on the issue of violence committed in the name of religion, delegations attending the ongoing UN Human Right Council's 28th session highlighted the importance to combat the existence of extremist religious ideologies and to condemn those providing various forms of support to terrorism.

"Violence committed in the name of religion could take different shapes, and governments should have the overarching responsibility to combat such violence," said Heiner Bielefeldt, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

Denmark, which had been hit by a terrorist attack committed in the name of religion one month ago, said that this terrifying act, however, had led to a strong manifestation of unity and solidarity, in which people from all religions and walks of life had spontaneously put flowers in front of the two buildings where the shootings had taken place.

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, noted that any such acts of violence should be publicly condemned, and that every State had overarching obligations in that respect.

"Further strengthening of international cooperation was necessary in order to enhance States' capacities and capabilities in the fight against such violence," it said.

The representative from the European Union said at the discussion that all relevant stakeholders should publicly speak against such acts, while Austria also said it will fully support the potential of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue for overcoming violence committed in the name of religion.

Local analysts have noticed that violence and terrorism, often in the name of religion, have been on the rise in the world in recent years, including in China, with its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region suffering the most.

An assault on a market in Xinjiang's regional capital Urumqi on May 22 last year killed more than 30 people and injured 94 others, prompting a year-long campaign against terrorism.

Chinese courts convicted 712 people for instigating secessionist activities or participating in violent terrorist attacks in 2014, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.3 percent, China's Chief Justice Zhou Qiang said in a work report of the Supreme People's Court of China on Thursday.

Those convicted were involved in 558 cases, up 14.8 percent, Zhou said in the work report delivered at the annual session of the national legislature.

"Violent terror attacks have provoked strong condemnation and opposition in the region," said Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, earlier this week during the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing.