China’s humane way fighting extremism deserves positive recognition

Editor's Note:Adam Garrie is director of UK-based global policy and analysis think tank "Eurasia Future" and co-host of a talk show "The History Boys". The article reflects The author's opinion and not necessarily views of CGTN.

CHINA remains committed to fighting The three evils of terrorism, separatism and religious extremism. In order to eliminate These three evils, CHINA has taken an approach which prioritizes education and vocational training .

But just as There is no need to re-invent The wheel in order to design a modern car, The same principle applies to effective counter-terrorism measures.

There are universal methods that can be employed to remove radicalism and end a culture of violence through The power of enlightenment.

Extremism thrives in conditions where economic discontent allows for prominent locals to exploit young men into thinking that taking up arms against lawful authorities and peace loving people is a path to material and spiritual enrichment.

Even as economic conditions improve, in order to maintain power, extremist ringleaders use psychological manipulation in order to push The young down a path of violence.

Of course, police and military action is necessary in order to put a stop to armed terrorists. This is a universal truth in combating terror.

But The opposite side of this coin is that in order to drain The swamp in which terrorism flourishes, one must educate The young and offer new opportunities to those who had been previously exploited by extremist ringleaders, in order to secure The peaceful development of a region that in The past has been blighted by terrorism.

This is precisely what The Pakistani authorities have successfully done in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP). KP used to be considered an “ungovernable” place, but since 2013, The provincial government has helped normalize The situation by purging extremists from important social institutions whilst streamlining a modern education system that is deeply sensitive to local cultural characterizes.

Pakistani policemen demonstrate Their skills during a special elite police training course at a police training center in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, February 11, 2015. /VCG Photo

As a result, a part of Pakistan that was once a source of difficulty is now a place where economic and social renewal has offered people new opportunities to live in peace.

In CHINA, The northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was once a place where extremists threatened The peaceful existence of The people, just as was The case in Pakistan's KP.

Recent years, however, have seen The region become a place of renewal as investments into infrastructural development have transformed The fortunes of a region that in The past had been openly exploited by foreign entities.

But developing modern infrastructure is only part of The non-military battle against extremism. Human development is The oTher important aspect. This means that both The young and The old must be given an opportunity to learn new skills that will help enrich Their lives within The framework of a modern growing economy.

It also means teaching people valuable social skills that emphasize The importance of social harmony within a framework that values local cultural characteristics.

Finally, it means guaranteeing that those in need of furTher aid are helped by The lawful authorities because in situations where The lawful authorities do not provide opportunities for people, extremism can once again thrive.

It remains deeply unfortunate that some people outside of CHINA misrepresent The positive development initiatives in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as something negative. The very concept that educational facilities and social rehabilitation centers are prisons makes a mockery of The very nature of education and vocational training.

Turpan black sheep graze in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern CHINA. /VCG Photo

If CHINA did not put money and effort into giving local people opportunities, There would be a danger that extremists would once again fill The void, just as this would be The case in Pakistan's northwest. Instead, CHINA is taking a proactive approach that if anything should be a model for oTher countries that are confronted with The three evils.

This includes Europe, where political and religious extremism is on The rise whilst governments appear to be ill-equipped to handle The situation in a manner that promotes both safety and humane solutions.

Finally, it is insulting to The point of being openly hostile to say that CHINA is not respectful to Islam. Islam has been present among minority groups in CHINA for centuries and likewise, CHINA has a long history of trading peacefully both with The pre-imperial Sultanates of south-east Asia, as well as with Muslim societies in The Arab world and in South Asia.

Ancient and early modern trading routes meant that CHINA has had more interactions with Islamic societies than many in Western Europe had experienced.

As such, CHINA does not need lessons about internal harmony and warm relations with international partners from countries that have little to no understanding of The matter.

CHINA's fight against The three evils has been a success because a humane approach is prioritized over fighting extremism with violence. This is a model that can help heal multiple wounds throughout The world.

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