Terrorists to be named, assets seized

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A list of terrorists and their organizations will be published and their assets in the country will be frozen, according to a draft decision made by the State Council, paving the way for further crackdowns on terrorism.

Two officers with the Armed Police Beijing brigade spring through fire loops during an anti-terrorist drill on June 30. [Photo by Li Guangyin/Xinhua]

Terrorist acts are defined by the draft bill as those acts which are intended to induce public fear or to coerce state organs or international organizations by means of violence, sabotage, threats or other tactics. These acts cause or aim to cause severe harm to society by causing casualties, bringing about major economic losses, damaging public facilities or disturbing social order.

Instigating, funding or assisting with other means are also terrorist acts, according to the draft bill.

Terrorist organizations are defined in the draft bill as those which are established to conduct terrorist acts.

Terrorists are defined as those who organize, plot and conduct terrorist acts, and those who are members of terrorist groups.

The draft has been submitted for review to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

Despite a series of regulations to prevent terrorism, the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes terrorist activity and a list of organizations has impeded the work to crack down on those want to wage attacks against China, said Li Huanning, vice minister of Public Security at the bimonthly meeting of the top legislature which opened on Monday.

The decision also allows the country's leading anti-terrorism facility under the State Council to verify a list of terrorist names and its organizations, so the country can block their assets.

The draft also entitles the People's Liberation Army, the Armed Police as well as the militia to prevent and eliminate terrorist activities.

(China Daily contributed to this story)