China Asks Asia and Europe Cooperate on Immigration

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya proposed on behalf of China for Asian-European cooperation in fighting illegal immigration at a two-day Ministerial Conference closed in Spain on April 5.

The Ministerial Conference was called under a joint suggestion of Spanish, Germany, and Chinese leaders at the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Seoul in 2000. Present at the conference were ministers and delegates from 26 Asian and European members.

Wang's proposals are as follows:

1. To further strengthen economic, trade, and technological cooperation as well as narrow the gap between the developed and developing ASEM members, strive for common development and prosperity, thus eradicate the root of illegal immigration;

2. Active cooperation in fighting against illegal immigration among ASEM members. All the countries involved in the illegal activities should share the blame. To establish a regular cooperative system for exchanging information, join hands to seize the criminals organizing illegal immigration;

3.The developed ASEM members should provide technologies and funds to those developing members for improving the latter's capability for safeguarding and fighting against illegal immigration;

4. All ASEM members should respect the others' sovereignties and laws as well as adopt the non-political and non-selective principles;

5. To further publicize the policies on cracking down such illegal activities;

6. To treat illegal immigrants in a humanitarian way and provide necessary aid to them.

( April 8, 2002)