ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday called for a united front against "double standards" and politicization in global counter-terrorism efforts.

Speaking at the 14th BRICS High Representative Meeting on National Security in Russia's St. Petersburg, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the need for BRICS countries to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism and cybersecurity and urged support for the UN's central role in coordinating global counter-terrorism initiatives.

He said China opposes "double standards", politicization and instrumentalization on counter-terrorism issues. Wang said the global community should abandon exceptionalism and resist any actions that undermine the authority of the UN.

"We must advocate a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept and embark on a new path of security," Wang said, stressing China's commitment to building a "fair, reasonable and effective global security governance."

The Chinese minister praised the achievements of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and expressed China's willingness to implement the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Plan of Action. Wang also extended an invitation to BRICS counter-terrorism officials to visit China's northwestern region of Xinjiang.

Xinjiang is home to 10 million Uyghurs, a Turkic Muslim group that makes up 45% of the region's population. China has been accused of cultural and religious discrimination against Uyghur Muslims by Chinese authorities, which Beijing denies.

Promoting the BRICS+ model, Wang encouraged the bloc to engage more countries, particularly from the global South, in dialogue and cooperation to consolidate joint actions on counter-terrorism and cybersecurity.

Wang's comments come as the BRICS nations seek to increase their collective influence on global security issues and positioning the group as a counterbalance to Western-led security frameworks.