China seeks security for One Belt One Road project

Concerned over its ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative being hit by terror attacks, China has sought international cooperation to combat the menace in the participating countries.

China made this appeal on Monday at a UN Security Council open debate on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks, Xinhua news agency said.

China's permanent representative to the United Nations said Beijing hopes to strengthen cooperation in areas such as "intelligence sharing, risk assessment and joint law assessment through bilateral and multilateral channels".

He said it would effectively protect interconnection projects and trans-boundary infrastructure from terrorist attacks and to ensure the safety and security of the Belt and Road construction.

Beijing says some 100 countries have joined OBOR which will link Asia with Europe.

"Recently, a series of terrorist attacks on infrastructure such as airports and mass transport stations have caused panic, and resulted in serious losses of lives and properties. The international community should pay attention to the above mentioned developments and work together to fight this phenomenon," Liu said.

The $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), one of the crucial parts of OBOR, passes through the restive regions of Balochistan and Gligit-Baltistan in Pakistan.

Locals have protested against the project, citing livelihood and environmental concerns.

The UN Security Council on Monday unanimously adopted Resolution 2341 (2017), calling upon member states to consider developing or further improving their strategies for reducing risks to critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks.

The 15-member council reiterated "the need to strengthen efforts to improve security and protection of particularly vulnerable targets, such as infrastructure and public places," according to a UN press release posted on its website.

"The United Nations and the Security Council should play a leading role in relevant international cooperation," said the ambassador, adding that "terrorism is the common enemy of mankind and whenever and wherever and in whatever forms it occurs, it must be countered resolutely.

--IANS

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