Senior Chinese prosecutors are calling for better links between
legal organs in China and countries of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) to crack down on cross-border crime.
"The Chinese prosecutors will work with their counterparts in
ASEAN countries . . . to establish an effective law enforcement
network to fight transnational organized crime," said Jia Chunwang,
procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, during
the China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference. The meeting opened
Thursday in Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan
Province.
Jia stressed the importance of sharing law enforcement
information and setting up mutual training and exchanges to
contribute to a safer environment in the region.
While regular meetings of prosecutors-general provide venues for
discussion, direct cooperation between procuratorates in the border
regions will smooth the channels for contact, said Deputy
Procurator-General Zhang Geng.
In addition, China and the ASEAN members should assist each
other in such areas as investigation and evidence collection,
arrest and extradition of criminals, and pursuit and return of
funds and property, he said.
Zhang proposed that a network for information collection,
access, exchange and transmission be set up for safe and convenient
data sharing.
Zhang's proposals were well received by participants, who said
the need for enhanced cooperation that goes beyond the existing
bilateral framework and United Nations conventions.
Thai Attorney-General Rawat Chamchalerm said a regional legal
framework, such as a uniform mutual legal assistance treaty, could
be helpful.
The idea is not new. Attorneys-general of ASEAN countries
discussed the draft of a treaty on multilateral mutual legal
assistance and extradition in May.
Malaysian Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail suggested
that the treaty might be extended to include non-ASEAN members in
the region, such as China.
In November 2002, China and ASEAN signed a joint declaration on
tackling non-traditional security issues, in which
drug-trafficking, human smuggling, piracy at sea, terrorism,
weapons smuggling, money laundering, international economic crime
and Internet crime were set as priority targets.
A memorandum of understanding signed in January this year gave
new momentum to the partnership.
Despite the progress, Zhang said there remains much to be
improved.
He cited inadequate information sharing and a lack of operating
codes in investigation and evidence collection, extradition of
escaped criminals, and seizure and return of the illegal gains.
Apart from transnational crime, the region is also faced with
the task of curbing terrorism, separatism and extremism. The deadly
explosions in Bali, Indonesia, in 2002 demonstrated the reality of
the threat.
The pressure may intensify as the 2010 deadline approaches for
China and ASEAN to set up a free trade zone. Some observers worry
that the increasing business transactions and more convenient flow
of goods may also bring an upsurge in transnational crime.
In a letter to the conference, President Hu Jintao highlighted
joint efforts in curbing transnational organized crimes as "a
common task" of the countries within the region.
"China stands ready to work with ASEAN countries to . . . combat
cross-border crime and build an enduring and stable regional
security environment," said Luo Gan, a member of the Standing
Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China
Central Committee.
(China Daily July 9, 2004)