The rising number of high-profile terrorist attacks across the world emboldened homegrown groups and resulted in more frequent, more destructive attacks in China last year, according to Wang Yongsheng, deputy commander of the People's Armed Police of China.

The influence of attacks in other countries also led to a rise in the number of attacks committed by groups, rather than by individuals. Moreover, the terrorists have abandoned the knives and axes they used in earlier incidents and have graduated to firearms and explosives, resulting in a greater number of casualties, Wang told People's Liberation Daily during the annual meeting of the National People's Congress.

Meanwhile, social media sites have become platforms for groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, believed to be active in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, to recruit members, disseminate ideology, provide training materials and even launch attacks, he said.