Due to the increasing number of suspected terrorists allegedly sailing to the Middle East via Southeast Asian countries, the People's Republic has called for intensified intelligence collaboration with ASEAN countries to counter terrorism.

On Friday, the vice minister for public security Li Wei said law enforcement cooperation with ASEAN countries would increase - especially in regards to intelligence exchanges and joint investigations.

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China is seeking to get a bird's eye-view of the activities of rebel groups such as the Turkestan Islamic Movement. The United Nations officially declared the group a terrorist organization three years ago, and China is attempting to take these suspects into custody.

After escaping Chinese borders, a number of these suspects reportedly go to neighboring Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Once there, they allegedly acquire counterfeit passports to travel to Turkey then to Syria or Iran, where they are suspected to get training and eventually participate in terrorist activities or come back to China.

In fact, according to the Chinese Ministry of Public Safety, more than a hundred illegal migrants were caught in Thailand last July.

China has responsed to these terrorist threats by modernizing its security forces and enhancing surveillance through anti-terrorism regulations.

As per The Diplomat, "the paramilitary People's Armed Police (PAP) has emerged as China's most important asset...against terror. The PAP's troops are trained in handling of ever more specific crisis scenarios, such as the liberation of hijacked vehicles and airplanes, the handling of explosives, riot control, and the management of hostage situations."

Emphasizing the importance of communication and sharing information, the vice prime minister of Cambodia Sar Kheng said that under this agreement, mutual trust and effectiveness can counteract terrorism.

Li advised China and all ASEAN countries to heighten security measures especially for possible anti-extremist activities.

TagsChina against terrorism, China and ASEAN countries, ASEAN countries