UK's anti-terrorism move positive

Yellow flowers are laid next to blood stains on the attack scene at the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, July 16, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The UK's Home Office recently listed the East Turkestan Islamic Movement as an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization.

At a time when Europe faces an increasingly difficult anti-terrorism situation, the move by the United Kingdom, although belated, is of positive significance. It demonstrates that the UK and possibly other Western countries have realized the threat of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement to the security and stability of not only China, but also the Western world.

In an attempt to solicit support and sympathy the East Turkestan Islamic Movement "presents" itself to the world in the disguise of "non-violence", "human rights" and "religion". But in the past years, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement has not only carried out terrorist attacks in China that have caused huge civilian casualties, it has also taken advantage of the changed geopolitics after the Cold War to accelerate colluding with other international terrorist organizations.

As early as 2002, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement was listed by the United Nations as a terrorist group. The UK's move shows it too has recognized the organization's true nature.

Unfortunately, some Western countries and organizations still fail to see the true nature of the organization. Instead of regarding the East Turkestan Islamic Movement as a terrorist group, they have even chosen to offer it aid as a card to play against China.

Any form of terrorism is a tumor to human civilization. In identifying terrorist groups and terrorist activities, Western countries should abandon their biased geopolitical and ideological considerations. Western countries should refrain from using "double standards". They should strengthen their cooperation with China, as combating the East Turkestan Islamic Movement constitutes an indispensable part of the international anti-terrorism campaign.