Beijing: Terrorists in China`s Xinjiang region are public enemies who are exacting a high price for development by creating an impression of instability there, a state-run Chinese daily said Wednesday.
Three failed suicide bombers were given death penalties and one was sentenced to life imprisonment Tuesday for attempting to hijack and blow up a domestic flight in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in June.
"This is the upholding of justice and a response to terrorism," said an article in the Global Times.
The daily said that four people were highly influenced by extremism and they "ran into terrorism before having the capability to understand the notion of nation, democracy and freedom, and ruined their own lives".
Terrorism has emerged in Xinjiang in recent years and is associated with international anti-China forces and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), it noted.
"Society is progressing, while at the same time meeting new challenges in social management. ETIM, with the notorious Chinese separatist Rebiya Kadeer as its leader, is publicly sheltered by the West and is trying to disturb Xinjiang in various ways," said the daily, and added: "Those like Rebiya are clear that their aim of separating China can never be achieved."
Describing it as a "brutal political game", the article said that the chaotic situation in Xinjiang will mean people like Rebiya have more value to the West, and consequently they will receive more financing from organizations backed by the West.
"To the West, spending money to support separatists in Xinjiang and Tibet can at least create some problems in China`s ethnic areas, distracting the authorities from their focus. It is an effective tool for them."
The daily went on to say that Rebiya and terrorists in Xinjiang are public enemies.
"They are exacting a high price for local development by creating an impression of instability there, hurting the confidence of investors and tourists. Fighting terrorism is not only aimed at securing a normal life, but also future economic competitiveness."
IANS
