Xinhua 19.08.2024 08h25
China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand discussed cross-border crime issues at an informal discussion between the countries’ foreign ministers in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Friday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said security is the prerequisite and foundation for the development of all countries. At present, the regional situation is undergoing complex changes, and cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud persist, endangering the safety of people’s lives and property, and affecting social stability and the image of the nation, he said.
(Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Only when countries in the region step up joint efforts to combat such crimes can the high incidence of such crimes and offenses be effectively curbed, Wang said.
The China-proposed Global Security Initiative has received positive reactions from countries including Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Based on mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, the four countries have jointly carried out a series of activities to combat cross-border crime, and arrested more than 50,000 people involved in gambling and fraud since last year, Wang added.
Taking the Global Security Initiative as a guide, China is willing to work with other countries to enhance joint efforts to crack down on cross-border crime and safeguard the tranquility of these countries.
Wang called for strengthening the border control network, guarding each country’s borders, controlling important ports, and completely blocking illegal border crossing routes by malicious people.
He called for facilitating smooth exchange of intelligence and information and continuing to conduct joint operations to repatriate lawbreakers who have fled across borders to bring them before justice promptly.
He also called for convening a ministerial conference on Lancang-Mekong region law enforcement and security cooperation at an early date, advancing security operations in the Lancang-Mekong region, mobilizing resources from all parties, integrating human resources, intelligence, technology and equipment, coordinating joint operations among the four countries, and comprehensively enhancing the effectiveness of transnational cooperation. The countries should deepen exchanges and cooperation in the legal and judicial fields, conduct judicial and law enforcement training and coordinated training, and enhance their combat and governance capabilities, Wang said.
The four sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and maintain closer coordination, and step up efforts to combat cross-border crimes such as online gaming and telecommunications fraud, drug trafficking and human trafficking, so as to jointly safeguard regional peace and tranquility.
(Web editor: Ying Xie, Yishuang Liu)