China to continue to fight terrorists targeting civil aviation: vice premier

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang (C) addresses the opening ceremony of the Diplomatic Conference on Aviation Security in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 30, 2010. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang said Monday China would continue to crack down on terrorists and criminals targeting civil aviation.

Zhang made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of an international conference on air law.

The conference will review draft amendments to international conventions on aviation security.

Zhang said as a responsible country, China firmly supports international efforts to combat terrorism and will continue to meet its international obligations in the field of civil aviation.

Zhang said he hoped delegates could discuss ways to improve international air criminal law.

He also expressed hope for the criminalization of unlawful interference that threatens aviation security.

"We need to send a clear message to the international community and to terrorist groups - any unlawful interfering in civil aviation is intolerable," said Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, president of the Council for the International Civil Aviation Organization, at the conference.

According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), during the twelve-day conference, delegates from over 60 countries will examine international law concerning aviation security, including the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft.

Source: Xinhua
【1】 【2】