The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), comprising China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikstan, signed on September 11, exactly one year after the terrorist attacks on the United States, an agreement setting up a permanent regional anti-terrorism agency.

The main function of the agency, headquartered in the Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek, is to co-ordinate the activities of the member nations against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum also issued a statement, entitled APEC Leaders' Statement on Recent Acts of Terrorism in APEC Member Economies, on October 27 at their 10th meeting in the Mexican resort of Los Cabos. They reaffirmed their support for regional counter-terrorism efforts and pledged to crack down on any terrorist financing activities.

A declaration from the 8th summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, on November 4 voiced their determination to take specific measures, collectively and individually, to counter international terrorism.

The leaders vowed to step up efforts to prevent, counter and suppress the activities of terrorist groups in the region. They also decided to set up a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Apart from these measures, some countries also intensified military cooperation.

During the past year, the United States, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore held a series of joint anti-terrorism military exercises. Russia and other member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States followed suit. Troops from China and Kyrgyzstan joined forces in exercises near the borders of the two countries aimed at countering incursions by terrorist groups. It was the first bilateral anti-terror exercise carried out within the framework of the six-member SCO.

For its part, China's stance on international counter-terrorism is clear and consistent: China supports the fight against all forms of terrorism.

On multi-lateral cooperation, China has supported the leading role of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and Security Council in international counter-terrorism, facilitated the passing of relevant anti-terrorism resolutions in the two bodies and consistently abided by the resolutions.

At the bilateral level, China and the United States have set up a working group to consult on medium and long-term anti-terrorism cooperation.

A similar working group has been established between China and Russia and close cooperation has been achieved between China and Pakistan, India, Britain, France and Germany, among others.

One significant achievement of the international communities' strengthened cooperation was the addition of "The Eastern Turkishtan Islamic Movement," which has carried out a large number of violent attacks both inside and outside China, to the UN list of international terrorist groups in September.

The global anti-terrorism war unleashed after the terror attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, dealt a heavy blow to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network in Afghanistan.

But worldwide terrorist attacks, instead of being curbed, still happen from time to time.

Recent events such as the deadly bombings in Indonesian holiday island Bali, the bombing of a French oil tanker off Yemen and the taking of hostages in Moscow by Chechen rebels further indicated that terrorist activities are running rampant in some regions.

The war against terrorism is long-term, complicated, and needs a sustained effort from the international community. A comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of terrorism is vital to winning the war.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2002)