1st LD-Writethru: China, Britain agree to strengthen security cooperation

China and Britain have agreed to strengthen cooperation in security, law enforcement and justice issues at their first high-level security dialogue, held in Beijing on Monday.

The two sides have exchanged views on the fight against terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, illegal migration and other security issues.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Wang Yongqing, Secretary-General of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Mark Lyall Grant, National Security Advisor to British Prime Minister.

The dialogue was an implementation of the China-UK joint declaration on building a "global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century" issued in October, 2015 and is of great significance in mutual security cooperation.

According to a communique on the dialogue, the two countries have agreed that "in the face of ever more serious challenges for the international community in fighting terrorism," it is in both sides' interests to develop their bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism.

They agree to establish cooperation mechanisms and develop effective coordination to protect the two countries' citizens, diplomatic missions and overseas economic interests.

They also agree to "share experiences of related measures to cut off the finances of terrorist organizations and to exchange information on legislation effected and implemented."

According to the communique, the two sides have agreed not to conduct or support cyber enabled theft of intellectual property, trade secrets or confidential business information with the intent of providing commercial advantage.

Furthermore, cooperation in combating online child sexual exploitation will take place through initiatives such as the WeProtect summit, the communique said.

It is agreed that both parties will strengthen cooperation in the field of law enforcement in order to "prevent and combat the use of the internet to incite, recruit, finance and plan terrorist activities."

On fighting organized crime, China and Britain have agreed to build on the platform of the Annual Working Conference on law enforcement in order to strengthen drug prohibition, fight economic crimes including financial crimes, illegal migration and other mutually important areas of law enforcement cooperation.

They agree to strengthen cooperation on the pursuit of fugitives, asset recovery and return, anti-money laundering and related crimes.

It is also agreed that both parties will "take forward case by case cooperation on extradition of criminal suspects in line with respective legal processes," the communique said. Endi