A senior official on Thursday vowed to resolutely crack down on violent crimes and terrorism in order to safeguard social stability and safety.

Efforts should be made to understand the "severity, complexity and lasting nature" of the current anti-terrorism situation and increase the country's sense of urgency and responsibility in order to maintain stability, said State Councilor Meng Jianzhu.

Meng, who is also China's minister of public security, made the remarks at a national anti-terrorism work conference in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

He vowed to "severely punish and never tolerate those who are involved in terrorism."

Two violent terrorist attacks occurred in Xinjiang's city of Kashi over the weekend, killing at least 14 people and injuring 42 others.