China's first educational institute of its kind focusing on counterterrorism law has been created at a university in Northwest China, which aims to build a pool of legal experts to help China combat terrorism.

The institute was set up by the Northwest University of Political Science and Law in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, and is expected to receive its first class of undergraduates in spring semester.

"To better fight terrorism under new circumstances, China has an urgent and strategic need for a team of qualified experts who have comprehensive knowledge in the field," Jia Yu, president of the university, said at the launching ceremony for the institute on Saturday.

Undergraduate students will get lectures on counterterrorism strategies of China and other countries, along with lessons on religion and ethnic affairs.

The institute will also introduce doctoral and master's degree programs in counterterrorism law.

China is facing intensified terrorism problems as foreign terrorists and extremist groups have stepped up their efforts to target the country, and an increasing number of domestic attacks were found to have been plotted overseas via the Internet, authorities say.

To cope with changes and trends in the fight against terrorism at home and abroad, China enacted its first counterterrorism law in 2015.

Unlike counterterrorism institutes at the People's Public Security University of China, the Yunnan Police Officer Academy and Xinjiang Police College, the newly created institute will focus on law and policy studies rather than how to react to terrorist attacks.

Graduates of the institute could be advisers on antiterrorism policy at several levels, including the front-line fight and in the central government, Jia said.

Contact the writer through cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn