The Chinese government has passed its first counter terrorism law that allows military operations abroad and requires technology firms to submit sensitive information to government bodies. The new law is designed to neutralise terrorism threats in the Western region of Xinjiang where Uighur Muslims are fighting against perceived repressive measures against their religion and culture, and rebels in Tibet.

China has also faced international terrorism from Islamic State (Isis) extremists after they kidnapped and beheaded Chinese national Fan Jinghui in Syria. The new law includes a raft of new measures forcing telecommunication companies and internet service providers (ISPs) to install online ‘back doors’ in servers so they can be easily accessed by government officials. They also require all ISPs to locate their servers in China storing all data locally whilst handing over encryption keys.

The new law also restricts the right of media to report on details of terror attacks, including a provision that media and social media cannot report on details of terror activities that might lead to imitation, nor show scenes that are “cruel and inhuman”.

The anti-terrorism law also permits the People’s Liberation Army to get involved in anti-terrorism operations overseas, though experts have said China faces big practical and diplomatic problems if it ever wants to do this.