BEIJING, June 18  -- Saudi Ambassador to China Yahya A.S. Alzaid pledged support to China in its moves to punish terrorists, in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday.

Three people were sentenced to death and five others were jailed on Monday by a court in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region over a terror attack near Beijing's Tian'anmen Square in October 2013, in what were latest sentences handed down to terrorists.

Yahya said terrorists in China had killed civilians brutally, caused horror and that they must be brought to justice.

He said Saudi Arabia understands China's anti-terrorist arrangements because it has also been a victim of terrorism, and is still fighting its battle against terror.

The 1980s and 90s saw terror spread across Saudi Arabia, with frequent explosions and assassinations.

Terrorists also spread extremist ideas among the public, vying to destruct social order and split society, Yahya said.

The Saudi government has punished terrorists and achieved results, said Yahya, adding that his country is willing to share its best practice with China and launch cooperations.

Additionally, he noted education and punishment are equally important in the war on terror. Hardcore terrorists need to be punished, while those under the influence of terrorists should be educated to turn their backs on extremism.

Yahya said he was confident in China's capabilities to squash terrorism and extreme forces and bring security and stability to regions like Xinjiang.

"I always tell my fellow Saudis that the biggest advantage about China is safety and that you can walk the streets free of safety concerns," said the ambassador, who has been in his role since 2008.