Nation's top police chief says world powers should lead in working together

China's top police chief has called on countries to enhance global public security cooperation, following the guidance of the Global Security Initiative introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in April last year.

Wang Xiaohong, Chinese State councilor and minister of public security, singled out world powers to take the lead in strengthening cooperation on public security.

He made the comments during a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province.

"Differences should not be a reason to hinder communication," the minister said.

In April 2022, Xi proposed the Global Security Initiative, calling on all countries to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win solution.

More than 500 government officials, heads of international organizations, professionals and scholars from over 50 countries and regions attended the conference to explore global collaboration in public security.

Themed "One world, common security", the conference aims to enhance global security and contribute toward the development of the global economy, according to Chen Zhimin, chairman of the China Association for Friendship, the event organizer.

"In the face of intense major power competition and escalating geo — political conflicts, the world is experiencing constant conventional and unconventional security threats as the current global security governance system is seriously inadequate," said Chen.

"To effectively tackle the difficulties and challenges that the world is facing, cooperation is our only option."

In 2015, the Ministry of Public Security called for the establishment of a platform for cooperation, security and development through dialogue and collaboration in Lianyungang.

In September of the same year, the first Lianyungang Forum took place and later developed into the current global public security cooperation forum.

Valdecy Urquiza, vice-president of Interpol, praised the forum for being an effective and practical platform for law enforcement innovation and collaboration.

He said that it can effectively address the security and development needs of all parties involved.

With a large number of telecom fraud suspects being returned to China recently, law enforcement authorities in the country have strengthened international cooperation and made achievements in cracking down on cross-border telecom fraud.

This year, the Ministry of Public Security sent working teams to Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries and regions to carry out law enforcement cooperation to successfully capture many fraud suspects.

The Chinese police, with the assistance of Interpol, keep in regular contact and collaborate with law enforcement agencies from various member nations.

They have established efficient and practical bilateral mechanisms for law enforcement cooperation and contact hotlines with more than 110 countries, and have signed more than 400 intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements on law enforcement cooperation, according to Beijing News.

The Chinese police have jointly patrolled popular tourist destinations with foreign police, including in China, Italy, Croatia and Serbia to foster personnel exchanges and create a safer environment for the economic and trade cooperation of Belt and Road partner countries.

Guo Jun?contributed to this story.