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Kunming terror attack should not overshadow need for ethnic harmony
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ON Saturday, a group of machete-wielding terrorists left a trail of blood at Kunming Railway Station, slaughtering at least 29 people and wounding more than 140 others. Most of the victims were innocent, unarmed civilians.
The attack was carried out by separatists from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, authorities said. Three attackers were caught yesterday after a manhunt was launched. Four others were killed and a wounded female assailant was arrested on the spot.
Whatever their motives, an indiscriminate attack against vulnerable people is a crime against humanity. It is act of cowardice that reveals weakness and desperation.
The perpetrators, at least two of whom were women, have no regard for the dignity of human life. Their attack in the capital of Yunnan Province was not only against the people of China, but against all peace-loving people everywhere.
Atrocity condemned
The Chinese leadership, leaders around the world and citizens worldwide have condemned the atrocity and strengthened their resolve to fight terrorism.
A boy witnessed his grandfather and parents bathed in blood while a man in his 20s lost his mother who fell down as she was running away, but was caught by attackers who cut her throat.
That moment has made us aware that terrorism is not confined to a particular region, but is a threat to daily life. However, we should not fear the dark but be stronger in our determination to resist those who harm innocents and do violence to society out of a perverted sense of injustice.
We have learned lessons from the bloody attack and closed security loopholes. Armed police and soldiers are being deployed around the country to prevent future attacks.
In recent years, terrorists have upgraded their targets and tactics. We have no choice but to be proactive and step up our own defenses and protection. Only the harshest punishment can be meted out to terrorists bent on the mass killing of innocents.
Though we condemn the perpetrators and those who share their twisted views, we should remain rational and calm. We should by no means generalize from the crimes of a few separatists to stigmatize our brothers and sisters from Xinjiang. We must keep uppermost in our minds that terrorism can never damage ethnic harmony.
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