Beijing, Aug. 16 : The Chinese Government''s effort to fight terrorism would not affect relations among various ethnic groups in China, said Mao Gongning, director of the Policy and Law Department with the State Ethnic Affairs Commission.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, he said: "To crack down on those terrorist activities in accordance with laws is conducive to uniting the Chinese people and safeguarding national unification."

"Terrorism is a criminal activity of very few people. It is not a problem related to ethnicity or religion," Xinhua quoted him as saying further.

He also said the Chinese government has for decades extended many preferential policies to help regions with ethnic minorities achieve better and faster development.(ANI)