China's top legislature has adopted the country's first counter-terrorism law. Lawmakers approved the legislation Sunday afternoon at the end of the 18th meeting of the National People's Congress Standing¹ Committee.

全国人大常委会第十八次会议27日下午闭幕，会议表决通过了我国第一部反恐怖主义法。

"The passage of the specialized² counter-terrorism legislation is based on the current provisions of law. It comes both from the need to combat terrorism and from China's responsibility in the international community. It will provide legal support and guarantees for the nation to combat terrorist activities, safeguard national and public security, the security of people's lives and property, and strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation in the international community," said An Weixing, Division Chief of Counter-Terrorism, Public Security Ministry³.

中国公安部反恐怖局局长安卫星表示；"在现有法律规定的基础上，制定一部专门的反恐怖主义法，既是当前打击恐怖主义的现实需要，也是中国的国际责任。它的出台必将为中国依法打击暴恐活动，维护国家安全、公共安全和人民生命财产的安全，以及加强国际反恐合作提供更加坚实的法律支撑和保证。"

The law establishes basic principles for counter-terrorism work and strengthens measures for prevention, handling, punishment as well as international cooperation. An Weixing said the newly-passed law is in response to the growing terrorism threat in the country and the world at large. It is essential to addressing terrorism at home and helping⁴ to maintain global security.

这部法律确立了反恐怖工作基本原则，强化了安全防范、应对处置、国际合作、法律惩治等措施。安卫星还表示，这部新通过的法律将会最大化的对国内及国际上的恐怖威胁作出回应。同时，这对于解决国内恐怖主义，帮助维护全球安全也是极其重要的。

The new law, which will enter into force in January next year, will provide legal support to the country's counter-terrorism activities as well as collaboration⁵ with international anti-terrorism efforts.

法律自2016年1月起施行，将为国家层面的反恐行动以及与国际社会的合作反恐提供法律依据。