World leaders condemn Paris attacks

Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) attends a working luncheon on Monday with his Turkish counterpart Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu during the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey. [Photo/Xinhua]

World leaders attending the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey, condemned in a joint statement on Monday the "heinous" terrorist attacks in Paris.

They reaffirmed that "terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group".

"We remain united in combating terrorism," the statement said.

"The spread of terrorist organizations and significant rise globally in acts of terrorism directly undermine the maintenance of international peace and security and endanger our ongoing efforts to strengthen the global economy and ensure sustainable growth and development," the statement said.

Meanwhile, China urged the international community to form a "united front" to combat terrorism under the leadership of the United Nations.

The appeal was made by Foreign Minister Wang Yi at an informal luncheon with his counterparts at the G20 summit on Sunday

"The UN's leading role should be brought into full play to combat terrorism, and a united front in this regard should be formed," Wang said.

He was speaking after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Friday night's terrorist attacks in Paris that left scores dead and hundreds injured.

"China is also a victim of terrorism, and cracking down on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement should become an important part of the international fight against terrorism," Wang added.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei quoted the minister as saying a political settlement to the Syrian crisis has reached a new phase.

The parties concerned have agreed to set up an interim administration within six months, hold a national election and redraft a constitution within 18 months, as an outcome of a recent foreign ministers' meeting.

Wang said the key is implementation.

President Xi Jinping - also in Antalya for the G20 summit - called for the world not to adopt "double standards" in tackling terrorism. Wang echoed the president's remarks in his speech.

Pang Zhongying, dean of the School of Global Studies at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, said Wang's call for a "united front" maybe a chance for China, the United States and European countries to reduce their differences and enhance cooperation on fighting terrorism.

Liu Xuecheng, a researcher of US studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the foreign minister's comments on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and "double standards" may be interpreted as a response to the political stances of Western countries, especially France, following fatal attacks by terrorists on civilians in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

"They (some Western countries) want China to fight IS and al-Qaida, but when terrorists attack in Xinjiang and kill civilians, they just say they (terrorists) are seeking human rights," Liu said. "That doesn't make sense."

chenmengwei@chinadaily.com.cn