China Broadens Campaign Against Terrorism With Sweeping New Law
- First anti-terror law lets PLA take part in operations abroad
- Legislation elevates terrorism as national security priority
Computer network cables sit connected to server machines at Portugal Telecom SGPS SA's new data center in Covilha, Portugal, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013. Oi SA's merger with Portugal Telecom is likely to bolster Brazil's largest landline phone carrier as it battles better-equipped rivals in the world’s fifth-biggest wireless market.
Photographer: Mario Proenca/BloombergChina’s first anti-terrorism law gives a sweeping definition of the crime, authorizes the People’s Liberation Army to take part in counter-terror operations abroad and elevates terrorism as a national security priority.
The law, approved by the top legislature on Sunday and effective from Jan. 1, requires technology companies to assist the authorities with encryption keys -- an element that drew U.S. criticism when China was planning its measures.