REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW YORK -- Poverty is one of the important factors for the growth of extremism, and the international community should work to eradicate poverty so as to eliminate its breeding grounds, said a Chinese envoy here on Tuesday.

Wang Min, China's deputy representative to the UN, made the remarks at a General Assembly debate on promoting tolerance which is initiated to discuss practical strategies to foster inclusive societies and counter extremism.

Noting that violent extremism and terrorism are common enemies to the world, Wang said the international community should unite and make concerted efforts to combat them, and use all necessary means to cut off their source of financing.

"Efforts to counter terrorism and combat violent extremism must not adopt double standards, let alone linking terrorism and extremism with specific ethnic groups or religion," he said.