China, US "necessary" to sign extradition treaty: Chinese FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) holds talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Beijing, capital of China, May 16, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday said that it is "very necessary" for China and the US to sign a bilateral extradition treaty in the long run, hoping that the two sides can start the negotiation process as soon as possible.

Wang's remarks came after holding a two-hour talk with visiting US State Secretary John Kerry Saturday morning.

Acknowledging that the US has become one of the top destinations for Chinese fugitives suspected of corruption, Wang hoped that the two countries can strengthen cooperation on repatriating Chinese fugitives and stolen assets.

"The purpose of China's anti-corruption campaign is to build a clean government, improve the market economic order and create a good environment for fair competition, which will also help American enterprises to better operate their businesses in China," Wang said.

Legal and law-enforcement cooperation is an important part of bilateral ties, Wang noted, urging the US to promptly conduct joint investigation of relevant cases and carry out repatriation process of Chinese suspects.

The US should under no circumstances become the safe haven for corrupted officials and stolen assets, Kerry said, while pledging to boost cooperation with China on hunting corrupt officials and fugitives who have fled abroad.