China- Turkey extradition bill likely to focus on counter- terrorism cooperation: expert
China is eyeing an extradition treaty with Turkey which experts believe will promote bilateral judicial cooperation and facilitate cracking down on transnational crimes, including terrorism.
Zhang Yesui, chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, reported the progress of the treaty on Wednesday at a top legislature meeting.
The treaty signals progress in bilateral judicial cooperation, said Li Wei, a counterterrorism expert at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations in Beijing.
China has 169 extradition treaties and judicial assistance bills with 81 countries and regions, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The countries involved will discuss and reach an agreement on what situations the extradition treaty applies to, experts said, noting the China- Turkey extradition treaty is likely to focus on counter- terrorism, given the geopolitical situation of Turkey.
Li said an extradition mechanism is important in cracking down on transnational crimes, such as drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorism. Terrorists will be deterred as they can no longer commit crimes in one country and flee to another, Li said.
The China- Turkey treaty will not only help safeguard peace and stability in Chinese territories, but also facilitate counterterrorism actions in the region extending from China’s northwestern border, Li said.
China and Turkey already have a judicial assistance agreement. China has signed similar extradition treaties with regional countries including Pakistan and Afghanistan, but the latter have not taken effect yet.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on December 14, during which Wang said that both sides should oppose the politicization and double standard of counterterrorism issues.
Cavusoglu said Turkey will not allow anyone to undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.