EU and China agree to cooperate on anti-terrorism agenda

Beijing and Brussels are going step up cooperation on sharing information to fight against terrorism, corruption and other serious crimes, which are high on each other's security agenda.

Both sides are busy going through their domestic legislative procedures over a "strategic agreement" reached by China's Ministry of Public Security and the European Police Office recently.

European Parliamentary members have debated the content of the agreement, which still needs approval at the plenary level of parliament and a green light from the European Council.

Reliable European Union anti-terrorism sources said the agreement will take effect once the respective domestic approval procedures are completed.

A European official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said both sides will exchange information, in particular swapping specialist knowledge, general situation reports, results of strategic analysis and information on criminal investigation procedures.

China and the EU will also share information on crime prevention methods, participation in training and exchange activities as well as providing advice and support in individual criminal investigations.

The agreement contains no provision relating to the exchange of personal data.

According to the agreement offered by the European side, it covers the fight against terrorism, which is high on the EU agenda and anti-corruption, on which Beijing is working hard.

Other crimes include drug trafficking, illegal money-laundering activities, crime connected with nuclear and radioactive substances, kidnapping, illegal restraint and hostage taking, racism and xenophobia, organized robbery and other serious wrongdoings.

The special envoy of President Xi Jinping, Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, visited the EU, Belgium, UK and Germany early this year to discuss deeper cooperation with European leaders.

When Meng met High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in May, he said terrorism posed a serious threat to the world.

During his visit, Meng expressed condolences to the families of the victims attacked in the March terrorism explosions by going to the metro station in Brussels, which was one of the venues for the attacks.

"China is willing to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation with Belgium, to work together to address the threat of terrorism,"he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Michel said Belgium is also willing to work with China to promote counter-terrorism and law enforcement and security cooperation.

Because of increased terror attacks and other challenges, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Europe is faced with "existential crisis."

In his state of union speech given this month, Juncker said since the Madrid bombing of 2004, there have been more than 30 terrorist attacks in Europe – 14 in the last year alone, with more than 600 innocent people being killed in cities like Paris, Brussels, and Nice.

"We must defend ourselves against terrorism. Just as we have stood shoulder to shoulder in grief, so must we stand united in our response," said Juncker.

Yao Yueyang contributed to the story

To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com.cn