Chinese university to offer course in counter-terrorism

A Chinese university is set to offer anti-terrorism as a major subject to strengthen the counter terrorism mechanism, a media report said. The subject at the People's Public Security University of China will help train anti-terrorism police officers nationwide, Dai Peng, a professor at the university, said on Sunday.

This is the first time a Chinese institute of higher learning for police has offered such a major subject, China Daily reported. The four-year course will accept 80 students for its first session commencing in May.

Students must complete at least eight main theory courses, including criminal investigation and security risk evaluation of terrorism, the report said. They also must learn how to deal with terrorists through practical courses.

"Anti-terrorism is a major part of the work of public security professionals, but their numbers and abilities are far from sufficient," Dai was quoted as saying.