A good and effective law to fight terrorism

China is a victim of terrorism, and to fight the menace and better protect its national interests, it has been strengthening its security measures. And with security concerns intensifying within and outside the country, China has enacted a law to fight terrorism.

Chinese lawmakers should be applauded for having worked tirelessly to draft the country's first counter-terrorism law, which was passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee late last year and took effect on Jan 1 this year. This highly anticipated law will provide legal support to China's fight against terrorism, including cooperation with the international community.

Although a recent poll showed most Chinese people support the law, some countries and their media outlets have voiced "concerns", alleging the law is "controversial", "will do more harm than good against the threat of terrorism", and claiming it could restrict freedom of expression and association, and constrict some country's trade with and investments in China.