Terrorism an enemy of humanity

Editor’s note: The serious terrorist attack that caused heavy casualties at a concert hall in Moscow Oblast on Friday has shocked the world. Two experts on Russia studies share their views on the incident with China Daily’s Pan Yixuan. Excerpts follow:

The terrorist attack on Friday at a Moscow concert hall, which claimed the lives of at least 133 people, was shockingly bloody.

Terrorism is an attack against the peaceful development of the times and human civilization. The insane terrorists are a threat to humanity. Peace-loving people all over the world, regardless of race, nationality or religious belief, should unite to condemn and fight against rampant terrorist attacks.

There is no doubt that this terrorist attack has an international background. So far, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the deadly assault in Moscow in a short statement published on its affiliated news agency Amaq. The Islamic State, a malignant tumor parasitic on human society, must be completely eradicated.

It is not the only terror incident, whether thwarted or not, to have happened in Russia recently. But the bloody terrorist attack in Moscow occurred at a time when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been protracted and the Russian presidential election had just ended. It is not surprising that people think the assault seemed to be arranged in line with the special time. But essentially, this is an extremely serious matter that will eventually be cleared up after careful investigation. According to reports, Russian authorities have announced the arrest of 11 people, including four perpetrators of the terrorist attack. The world will wait and see the results of its investigation.

The Chinese people strongly condemn the terrorist attack and firmly support the Russian government's efforts to safeguard national security and stability.

The author is Yu Sui, a research fellow at the China Center for Contemporary World Studies.

The number of deaths and injuries caused by the terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22 has surpassed that of the terrorist attack in Moscow in 2002, becoming the largest terrorist attack in Russian history. The victims were innocent music-loving men, women, teenagers and children.

Judging from the details of the attack's fund-raising, personnel recruitment, organization and implementation, it was a well planned and organized terrorist attack. Terrorists snuck into Russia from abroad and obtained weapons, indicating that Russia's preventive measures are flawed. The cooperation within Russia is the key point. If there are hostile forces lurking within the Russian military and police cooperating with terrorists… that would be even more serious. Also, that may be the where the focus and breakthrough came from in this terrorist attack case. Russia’s difficult “special military operations” in Ukraine has encouraged the risky actions of various anti-Russian forces.

It is reported that the United States had issued early warnings that said that any terrorist attacks on ordinary people are unacceptable to all countries throughout the world. Russia must not only dig out the behind-the-scenes information, but also learn lessons and further strengthen their counter-terrorism facilities and arrangements throughout Russia.

The current international situation is complex and severe. In this era of uncertainty, any small incident may trigger a chain reaction and eventually lead to unpredictable consequences. We must remain vigilant and respond cautiously to avoid the spread of military conflicts.

Conflicts and confrontations between great powers are manipulated by politicians, diplomats and militarists, but their costs are worn by ordinary people. In any case, ordinary people are the victims of public terrorist attacks. People from all over the world oppose all forms of terrorism and strongly condemn terrorist attacks. Many national leaders, politicians and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as US Secretary of State, strongly condemned the terrorist attack, and the Security Council quickly issued a statement condemning the attack.

The fight against terrorism will be a long-term one. In the face of terrorist attacks, people across the world should condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event.

The author is Xu Wenhong, a researcher on Russia studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.