Mr. Chairman,

China wishes to thank the Secretary General for the reports submitted under agenda items relating to crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control. At the same time, we would like to express our appreciation to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the technical assistance and related research carried out over the past year.

Mr. Chairman,

Transnational crime continues to present a daunting challenge to the international community. The ever more rampant criminal activities of production and trafficking of illicit drugs, trafficking in persons, money laundering, terrorism, cyber espionage and cyber attacks have now become more interconnected. They have caused severe disruption to the economic development and social order of countries affected and posed a serious challenge to the peace and development of certain regions.

Therefore, to strengthen international cooperation is at once a common need and shared responsibility of the international community in the fight against transnational organized crimes. Countries must, on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit, demonstrate political will and take concrete steps to improve mechanisms for international cooperation. In so doing, special attention must be given to the concerns of the developing countries and to the strengthening of their capacity.

Mr. Chairman,

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime provides an important legal framework for international cooperation in fighting such crimes. States should actively fulfill their treaty obligations in conformity with the purposes and spirit of the Convention and tap the full potential of the Convention in fostering international cooperation and judicial assistance. The sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention will convene in Vienna next week and one of the main agenda items of the Conference relates to the establishment of a mechanism or mechanisms for the review of the implementation of the Convention. In this regard, China believes that it is important to take into account the special features of the Convention and its protocols and proceed in a prudent and objective manner to establish the mechanism or mechanisms that are “government-led” and funded by UN regular budget. Therein lies the key to the future smooth and steady functioning of such mechanism or mechanisms. China is ready to work together with others to make the Conference a success.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption is an important achievement of the concerted international fight against corruption. The Convention offers a main avenue to channel our fight against corruption and should therefore be fully utilized. In particular, efforts are needed to promote the effective implementation of the Convention provisions related to asset recovery and international cooperation.

Mr. Chairman,

In recent years, cyber crime, trafficking in cultural property and other related crimes have attracted increasing attention worldwide. Calls have been growing louder for the establishment of relevant international rules and regulations. With regard to cyber crime, we believe that a comprehensive convention on cyber crime within the UN framework will be an effective tool to deal with the threat of such crimes on a global level. We support the continued research by the UN Intergovernmental Experts Group on Cyber Crime and hope that it will soon complete its mandate. At the same time, in response to cyber crime and cyber security, China and Russia have been working to promote the establishment of the International Codes of Conduct on Information Security. We hope that our efforts will continue to receive active response and support from other member states. With regard to fighting against trafficking in cultural property, destination countries must take effective measures in terms of import control, market regulation, judicial assistance and return of cultural objects. They should also take seriously the claims of countries of origin and strengthen cooperation with them in order to combat more effectively transnational crimes targeting cultural property.

Mr. Chairman,

During the process of building China into a socialist country under the rule of law, the Chinese government has constantly attached great importance to the improvement the judicial system. On the 9th October, the Chinese government issued the white paper on "Judicial Reform in China", which for the first time introduced the basic sitution and main achievements of China's judicial system reform in a comprehensive and systematic manner. This demonstrates China's firm determination to promote rule of law. The Chinese government attaches great importance to and has actively participated in the international cooperation against transnational crime and has made steady progress over the past year. Our revised Code of Criminal Procedure enacted in March 2012 has established procedures for confiscating illegal gains of corruption and terrorism crime suspects or defendants who are at large or deceased. This has provided more enabling conditions for competent Chinese authorities to conduct cooperation with their foreign counterparts. China participated in the review of the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption by Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in a serious, responsible, professional and constructive manner and supported the capacity building of the developing countries in fighting against corruption through hosting international seminars and workshops. Competent Chinese authorities have carried out law enforcement cooperation with neighboring countries in fighting human trafficking and succeeded in dismantling a series of transnational organized criminal groups.

China has been making dedicated efforts to improve legislations and enforcement mechanisms concerning the control of precursor chemicals. We have taken active measures to respond to new trends in the type of precursor chemicals stolen and their trafficking routes and have carried out effective cooperation with UNODC, International Narcotics Control Board and states concerned. China will continue to play an active role within the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Greater Mekong Sub-region, and Paris Process and make greater contribution to tackling drug problems.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.