Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the country is strengthening its law enforcement cooperation with relevant countries to intensify crack down on online gambling and telecom fraud.

Lin, who made the remarks at a regular news briefing on a query, said China is making persistent efforts to ask relevant countries to jointly find solutions through consultations. Adding that China attaches great importance to it. This comes amid a recent string of cross-border telecom fraud and other vicious cases along the Thailand-Myanmar border.

“China welcomes the robust measures by relevant country. We stand ready to work with Thailand and other countries to beef up law enforcement cooperation, crack down on online gambling and telecom fraud.” said the spokesperson. This will be to “protect the safety of Chinese citizens overseas and their lawful rights and interests and keep normal cross-border exchanges between China and relevant countries in order.”

Previous attempts at crack down

In the latest attempt towards the crack down, China appealed to the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to combat cross-border crimes. The appeal was against combatting crimes including illegal online gambling and telecom fraud, particularly in regions like the Myanmar-Thailand border.   

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said these activities have endangered citizens from China and beyond, and he called for ASEAN members to adopt stronger measures. Wang emphasised the urgent need for regional cooperation to tackle these issues, which threaten public safety and property.  

Recent cases, including incidents of human trafficking linked to online gambling syndicates, highlight the severity of the problem. China’s concerns also extend to its economic ties with the region, as such crimes tarnish Southeast Asia’s reputation as a safe destination for Chinese tourists. 

Cooperation among neighbouring countries

China has been long stressing the need for cooperation among neighbouring countries to combat cross-border crimes. Last year, the country stressed the urgency of regional cooperation, with Foreign Minister Wang highlighting recent joint operations between China, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. These join operations resulted in the arrest of over 50,000 individuals involved in gambling and fraud.  

In October last year, China and Cambodia deepened their cooperation in tackling cross-border crimes, particularly focusing on online gambling and cyber scams. This renewed commitment was solidified during a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summits in Laos. 

Wang called for stronger border controls, improved intelligence sharing, and continued joint efforts to apprehend and repatriate criminals. He emphasised that sustained regional stability depends on consistent cooperation among neighbouring countries.

Another campaign cross-border gambling was launched aggressively by the nation last month, spearheaded by the Supreme People’s Court. This campaign, characterised by severe punishment and public awareness efforts, aimed to dismantle gambling syndicates and the crimes associated with them, such as fraud, extortion, and violence.

The campaign is part of a broader regional strategy involving ASEAN nations and reflects China’s commitment to eradicating illegal gambling operations.