Anti-terror fight remains focused on East Turkestan group

The fight against the East Turkestan Islamic Movement still tops China's anti-terror agenda as the country is in a critical phase of development, said Cheng Guoping, State commissioner for counterterrorism and security matters.

Cheng, a former vice-foreign minister, said the ETIM has been seeking "Xinjiang independence" and attempting to create splits among the country's ethnic groups.

"It is the most prominent challenge to China's social stability, economic development and national security," he said.