Statement at the Second Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption
Wu Dawei
Head of the Chinese Delegation

January 28, 2008, Bali

Mr. President,

The Chinese delegation would like to congratulate you on your election as President of the Second Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. I believe under the leadership of you and other members of the dais the conference will make progress in many important aspects. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government and people of Indonesia for their careful preparations for this conference. I would also like to take this opportunity to express condolence to late Indonesian President Suharto.

Mr. President,

The number of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption has increased to 107, which is a very encouraging step forward. It shows to the international community once again our determination to faithfully implement the Convention, resolutely combat corruption and maintain the common interest of mankind.

As the first step of jointly punishing and preventing corruption, the formulation and entry into force of the Convention is of great significance. The due effect of the Convention depends on all of its stipulations are truly implemented. It is a core task of the conference to enhance the effective implementation of the Convention and strengthen the pragmatic cooperation.

We are glad to notice that efforts have been made comprehensively to implement the Convention. Many States Parties have started aligning their domestic laws with the Convention. The Secretariat and the States Parties have begun collecting and sharing information. A number of working group meetings and other related sessions discussing how to make the cooperation more efficient have been held since last Conference of the States Parties.

Meanwhile, we should note that the institutional construction and capacity building of international anti-corruption cooperation still have a long way to go. Some corrupt officials who fled abroad remain at large, the number of successful extradition and asset recovery in line with the Convention is rather limited and the cooperation in technical assistance is far from being effective.

The Chinese delegation believes to promote international anti-corruption cooperation is always the focus and priority of Convention implementation. Only with pragmatic and effective cooperation on extradition, judicial assistance and asset recovery can it be possible to punish and deter corrupt criminals and hence make the Convention more effective in preventing corruption. The Chinese delegation agrees on the statement made by the Pakistani delegation on behalf of "the Group of 77 and China". I would like to highlight the following three proposals in order to strengthen international cooperation against corruption.

First, to enhance mutual trust. To prevent and punish corruption is the responsibility of all countries in the world complies with the common values and morals of mankind and serves the common interest of peace, security and development. We should conduct dialogue and increase consensus through various channels, raise the political will of stepping up anti-corruption cooperation, get rid of any interference and resolutely deny safe havens for corrupt officials. The differences in legal systems amongst countries shall never become obstacles to the cooperation or excuse of corrupt officials to escape sanctions.

Second, highlight priority. The Conference of the State Parties should give priority to discussions on international cooperation. The discussion of establishing new implementation mechanism should focus on how to promote international cooperation. The Secretariat should intensify efforts of collecting information and building the database on the legal and judicial practices of States Parties in the areas of extradition, judicial assistance and asset recovery. Technical assistance should list international cooperation as the top priority, pay special attention to the needs of developing countries and help them strengthen capacity building without any conditions attached. Related working groups should, in a pragmatic and open attitude, explore key cooperative areas and means, raise suggestions for States Parties in drafting corresponding domestic laws and taking other related measures and consider the feasibility of developing the model law and model agreement.

Third, to pay attention to actual effect. The anti-corruption cooperation requires innovative ideas, measures and breakthroughs. The Convention has many new stipulations which should be implemented comprehensively. To that end, all States Parties should adopt tangible measures in stead of being constrained by their existing laws. Such measures include: reducing the restriction of domestic laws on the cooperation, simplifying the review process, speeding up case handling and appropriately lowering evidence standards. Those countries which do not take the Convention as the legal basis of extradition should enter into extradition treaties with other States Parties in line with the Convention. Related authorities of States Parties should strengthen direct communications and consultations to increase the efficiency of cooperation. We look forward to more successful cases and will disseminate the best practices.

As to the issue of implementation mechanism, the Chinese delegation holds the view that the discussion of the working group of reviewing the implementation of the Convention is useful. We support continuing to authorize the working group to make in-depth discussions on various feasible programs and the Secretariat in collecting information in this regard.

Mr. President,

China attaches great importance to conducting international cooperation under the framework of the Convention and improving related institutional construction. The Chinese government set up a new and important department in 2007 – the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention which is responsible for the organization and coordination, comprehensive planning, policy formulation and investigation of corruption prevention and offering technical assistance in terms of corruption prevention to other countries. The Chinese government has made the Bureau as the "authority that may assist other State Parties in developing and implementing specific measures for the prevention of corruption" as required by Article 6 of the Convention.

China so far has signed 92 bilateral judicial assistance or extradition treaties with more than 50 countries and established exchanges and cooperative relations in the field of anti-corruption with many countries, including the China-U.S. Joint Liaison Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation and the anti-corruption expert group under this framework. China expects to strengthen exchanges, share experience and deepen cooperation with more countries so as to jointly realize the objective of the Convention.

Thank you, Mr. President!