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Mainland, Taiwan vow co-op in fighting crimes

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-26 20:36

NANJING - Top negotiators from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan reached a consensus Sunday on mutual judicial assistance in an attempt to jointly crack down on severe crimes such as murder, smuggling, human trafficking and terrorist activities.

According to the agreement, the two negotiating bodies will meet on a case-by-case basis regarding suspects who may have broken a law that is considered illegal in one region, but not the other.

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Other major crimes listed for the joint crackdown include robbery, hijacking and economic wrongdoing, such as money laundering and falsifying currencies and securities.

The two sides agreed to exchange crime-related information and help each other investigate cases and collect evidence. Each side is also responsible for helping the other to identify witnesses, seize and repatriate criminals and suspects.

The two sides also agreed to provide direct flights or sea transportation to repatriate criminals and suspects under the principles of humanity, security, convenience and speed. Related evidence should also be transferred quickly.

Both sides are responsible to report key information to the other party, such as information on the detention of each other's suspects and details in the event of a non-disease-related death. Each side should also offer convenience for family members to visit such suspects.

The agreement was signed by the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) during their talks here Sunday.

In addition, the two sides agreed to launch regular flights across the Taiwan Strait and boost financial cooperation to cope with the global economic crisis.