New law to 'combat terror, protect rights'

China's top counterterrorism official has pledged to resolutely crack down on terror and protect citizens' rights in accordance with the nation's first counterterrorism law.

Law enforcement officers will also work with other countries to fight terrorist forces abroad, to root out the sources of terror at home, said Liu Yuejin, the Ministry of Public Security's counterterrorism commissioner.

The new law, which took effect in January and covers prevention, detection and punishment, defines "terrorism" as a proposition or activity that - through violence, sabotage or threat - generates social panic, undermines public security, infringes on personal and property rights, and menaces government organs and international organizations, with the aim of realizing political and ideological purposes.