China has signed 21 bilateral judicial assistance treaties on criminal matters with 21 countries, which will enhance China's judicial cooperation with the international community, sources from the Ministry of Justice said.

 

The latest one was signed between China and Namibia on May 26 during the China visit of Namibian Minister of Justice, Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-ithana.

 

This treaty will provide an important legal foundation for future bilateral cooperation in such fields as law enforcement and fight against transnational organized crimes, State Councilor Zhou Yongkang said in Beijing on Monday when met with Iivula.

 

China is actively carrying out judicial cooperation with foreign countries in recent years. Since 1993, China has signed extradition treaties with more than 20 countries.

 

On April 29, China signed an extradition treaty with Spain, the first one between China and developed countries, which will help China weave a global extradition net to bring back corrupt officials who have fled abroad to seek asylum in developed countries in Europe and North America and pave the way for more such judicial cooperation with other Western countries.

 

According to Zhou, the Chinese government is willing to work with the Namibian side to further enhance bilateral judicial cooperation, promote and ensure trade and personnel exchanges, and to deepen friendly cooperation between the two countries.

 

Iivula said Namibia will continue to strengthen cooperation with China side, especially in the judicial field.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2006)