Terrorists moving with the times, says security expert

The rising number of high-profile terrorist attacks across the world emboldened homegrown groups and resulted in more frequent, more destructive attacks in China last year, according to Wang Yongsheng, deputy commander of the People's Armed Police of China.

The influence of attacks in other countries also led to a rise in the number of attacks committed by groups, rather than by individuals. Moreover, the terrorists have abandoned the knives and axes they used in earlier incidents and have graduated to firearms and explosives, resulting in a greater number of casualties, Wang told People's Liberation Daily during the annual meeting of the National People's Congress.

Meanwhile, social media sites have become platforms for groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, believed to be active in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, to recruit members, disseminate ideology, provide training materials and even launch attacks, he said.

He added that armed police units, stationed in more than 300 cities and 150 key areas nationwide, have become the country's core anti-terrorist force, especially in Xinjiang.

Armed police now patrol the streets of every city and county in the autonomous region every day. On November 28, when a group identified as terrorists launched a violent attack in Shache county in Kashgar prefecture, armed officers arrived at the scene within two minutes and quickly took control of the situation, shooting several of the attackers dead.

The armed police force includes two elite anti-terrorism units - the Snow Leopards and the Falcons - whose officers are equipped with world-class, high-tech weaponry and have long experience in fighting terrorism.

In addition to the elite units, all officers have undertaken intensive anti-terrorism training programs, such as a seven-day combat exercise known as "hell week", which have improved their ability to fight terrorism, Wang said.