Premier Jiang Yi-huah today touted the growing cooperation between Taiwan and mainland China in tracking criminals across the strait and providing assistance in judicial matters. He attributed the success to the Cross-Strait Agreement on Joint Crime-fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance.
"One very positive outcome of this cooperative relationship is that suspects in the recent High Speed Rail bomb scare were deported from the mainland back to Taiwan in just a few short days."
Jiang's remark came after a progress report by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) on the agreement's implementation. He urged the MOJ, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and other law enforcement units—including prosecutors, police, investigators, coast guard, immigration and customs—to use the agreement's channels to enhance exchanges and work with mainland counterparts to guard the safety of people on both sides.
The premier said that Taiwan has been trying for years to apprehend financial criminal suspects hiding in mainland China. The MOJ, MAC and National Police Agency have all been working very hard in this regard, and their success will attest to the integrity of the justice system. He directed the agencies to continue negotiating with the mainland for the repatriation of these fugitives.
The MOJ also proposed five strategies for furthering cooperation under the agreement, as well as complementary measures and regulations. The five strategies are: cracking down on illegal drugs through special investigative techniques; repatriating criminals under humanitarianism and rehabilitation principles; restitution of crime proceeds to victims; establishing a legal basis for mutual assistance and providing criminal evidence; and initiating dialogue on law and order.
The cross-strait pact was signed almost exactly four years ago on April 26, 2009, covering judicial mutual assistance, police cooperation, humanitarian considerations and information exchange. As of March 31 this year, 35,418 requests for assistance of various kinds had been made by both sides. Close cooperation between Taiwan and the mainland is essential for combating cross-border crime and maintaining order in the strait, the MOJ said.