China, Malaysia pledge further cooperation

China and Malaysia pledged to further cooperation in law enforcement on Monday, with the senior officials from both countries reaching broad agreement in various issues related to fighting against transnational crimes.

Meng Jianzhu, Chinese State Councilor, who was in Malaysia to attend the first working group meeting between the law enforcement agencies, hailed the practical and highly efficient cooperation in law enforcement between the two countries in fighting against terrorism, drugs smuggling, online gambling, telephone fraud and other crimes.

Such cooperation has made significant contribution in combating cross-border crimes and maintaining the security and stability of the region, he said.

Meng, who is also holding the portfolio as minister of public security, told a joint press conference with Malaysian Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein that China was willing to jointly deepen the practical and friendly cooperation in various fields with Malaysia, take the bilateral collaboration in law enforcement to a new level and bring new contents to the strategic partnership of the two countries.

A bilateral agreement on fighting transnational crimes was sighed between the law enforcement agencies in August this year.

The holding of first working group meeting within more then two months after the signing of the agreement had highlighted the strong willingness for further cooperation by the two countries, said Meng during his talk with Hishamuddin.

He also stressed the importance of international cooperation in fighting cross-border crimes.

"With rapid development of globalization in the world today, as well as the fast progress of information technology, it is difficult for a country alone to stop the spread of transnational crimes," he said.

"As law enforcement agencies, only through closer cooperation can we bring benefit to the people of the two countries and more stability to the region."

Hishamuddin said the cooperation between law enforcement agencies had become a significant channel in further boosting mutual trust between China and Malaysia.

He told reporters that both leadership have found the bilateral relations "not only worthwhile, but something of a necessity in a world that is so uncertain."

Meng also met with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Monday, and Najib praised the cooperation of law enforcement between Malaysia and China while expressed the willingness to continue such cooperation.