Technology firms in China have committed to combatting online promotion of terrorism, the government's internet regulator announced on Tuesday.

About 25 Chinese tech firms pledged to "handle in a timely way terror-related harmful, illegal information, create a clear internet space and maintain social stability," the Cyberspace Administration of China said.

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Companies that promised to sign up include Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Baidu Inc., JD.com, Sina Corp and Tencent Holdings Ltd, the regulator revealed. However, all companies refused to give comment, according to Reuters.

It was also revealed that over 25,000 posts, 4,000 videos and 200 accounts with illicit and terror-related contents have already been put down.

In December, China passed a controversial anti-terrorism law, requiring tech firms including those owned by foreigners to open up a proprietary source code to Beijing and to work hand-in-hand with the government to fight off terrorism.

Many critics said that the recent law utilizes counter-terror and national security regulations to hinder freedom of speech. The US State Department even expressed "serious concerns," pointing it would more likely do harm than good.

However, China rejected such criticism, defending that it has "referred to the laws of other countries, including the United States."

"This rule won't limit the lawful operations of companies, does not provide a 'back door' and will affect neither the firm's intellectual property nor Internet users 'freedom of speech'," Hong Lei, Chinese foreign minister, said.

He further added that the new anti-terrorism law is "both totally rational and necessary" to counter online threats of terrorism in China.

Tagsterrorism, china, Anti-Terrorism Law, Alibaba, China Anti-Terrorism Law, Baidu, JD.com, Sina, Tencent, counterterrorism