China, Germany agree to set up high-level security dialogue mechanism

BERLIN -- China and Germany have agreed to establish a high-level security dialogue mechanism in a bid to strengthen bilateral judicial cooperation and coordinate joint efforts in dealing with non-traditional security threats facing the two countries.

The two sides reached the consensus during the first China-Germany Special Dialogue Against Violent Extremism, which was held here last week.

Meng Jianzhu, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the dialogue.

In his keynote speech at the opening session, Meng, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said China and Germany should increase exchanges on policies and practical experience as well as information-sharing so as to make anti-terror cooperation between the two countries more productive.

During his stay in Berlin, Meng met separately with Head of the German Federal Chancellery Peter Altmaier, State Secretary of Intelligence of the Federal Chancellery Klaus-Dieter Fritsche, Minister of the Interior Thomas de Maiziere, and Minister of Justice Heiko Mass.

They shared the view that traditional and non-traditional security issues are getting increasingly intertwined and the world is facing a complex and volatile security situation.

They agreed that China and Germany should deepen exchanges and cooperation in anti-terrorism, cyber-security, fighting transnational organized crimes and on judicial issues, and better safeguard security interests of the two countries.

Apart from consensus on the set-up of the high-level security dialogue mechanism, both sides also agreed to sign an agreement on judicial mutual assistance regarding criminal cases as soon as possible and start negotiations on extradition arrangements and transfer of convicts at an early date.