His Excellency President Harib Al Amimi,
First, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, I wish to congratulate you on your election as President of the Conference and to thank the UAE government for its gracious hospitality and thoughtful arrangements in hosting this Conference.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just a few days ago, on 9 December, we celebrated the International Anti-Corruption Day. Today, COSP8 becomes another occasion that brings us together in Abu Dhabi to discuss anti-corruption.
Corruption is our common enemy and a daunting task in global governance. China is fighting corruption in all areas with a strong momentum. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, China's anti-corruption efforts have had the eyes of the world and the achievements have been phenomenal as follows.
First, corrupt elements are dealt with a firm hand. We keep fighting corruption with rigorous efforts. In the past six years, 2.327 million cases were handled by the Chinese disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies, with 77,000 suspects investigated and brought to justice by judicial organs, among which 133 were above vice-ministerial level. China's anti-corruption operation "Skynet" has brought back 7042 fugitives and recovered illicit assets worth 17.3 billion yuan. 60 of China's top 100 fugitives listed on an Interpol Red Notice have been brought back.
Second, the legal framework is improved to help fight corruption. We address both the symptoms and root causes of corruption through institution-building. An anti-corruption legal system was established and improved in line with the Convention. Laws on anti-money laundering, on supervision and on international judicial assistance in criminal matters were promulgated and the Civil Servant Law, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law were revised. The law on supervision and the Criminal Procedure Law were better dovetailed to ensure that supervision covers everyone working in the public sector.
Third, we are committed to international cooperation. China actively participates in international cooperation against corruption and honors its Convention obligations with real actions. In April, China hosted a thematic international forum on Clean Silk Road. In October, China's National Commission of Supervision signed a memorandum of understanding with the UNODC on cooperation in combating corruption. China also participates in the implementation review of the Convention. Meanwhile, China's anti-corruption efforts and its recovery of illicit assets and fugitives cannot be achieved without the support of the international community. We wish to express our sincere thanks to you all for your assistance.
Fourth, fight against corruption is an on-going process. China has achieved a sweeping victory in the fight against corruption. However, corruption is yet to be fully rooted out. To do so, we must work relentlessly to improve the system and capacity for national governance. Not long ago, the CPC held the fourth plenary session of its 19th Central Committee. The plenum discussed how to modernize the national governance system and capacity and unveiled new measures for upholding and improving the supervision system. We are taking coordinated steps to ensure that government employees do not dare, cannot afford, and have no desire to be corrupt. We pledge that our pace and intensity to fight corruption will stay unchanged.
China's fight against corruption responds to the trend of the times and the voice of the people. It shows the unique advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics and demonstrates the courage and decisiveness of the CPC in taking self-imposed reforms. China's anti-corruption efforts have been highly praised by the international community.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In recent years, we have seen a world where uncertainties are on the rise and unilateralism and bullyism gradually become order of the day. Global governance against corruption is facing new challenges. China maintains that double standards must be rejected and no one shall use anti-corruption as an excuse to violate the sovereignty of other countries. The Convention should be the main channel in global governance against corruption. In this vein, the Chinese delegation would like to make the following points:
First, prevention is the first step in combating corruption. We must learn from each other's experience. The prevention measures provided for in the Convention fully reflect the importance of preventing corruption at its source. Due to different national realities and systems, countries have come up with different preventive measures. We need to increase communication and learn from each other under the principles of mutual respect and sovereign equality, and continuously improve the awareness and ability of corruption prevention.
Second, international cooperation is the best way to address corruption. We must fulfill our commitments. The mechanisms provided for in the Convention such as extradition and mutual legal assistance are powerful tools to punish corruption. That said, some countries use system differences as an excuse to create obstacles or restrictions to cooperation. Countries should adhere to the principle of "zero tolerance" and ensure "zero loopholes" in their mechanisms and "zero obstacles" in cooperation, so that there will be no safe havens anywhere for anyone.
Third, asset return is a weak link in anti-corruption cooperation. We must show greater will. While asset return is a basic principle enshrined in the Convention, cooperation in this area has not been satisfactory. We are not seeing enough political will. We call on all countries to stay true to the anti-corruption goals, show greatest sincerity, work together to recover and return the illicit assets, and remove the economic fallbacks of the corrupt elements.
Fourth, full implementation of the Convention is the lifeline of global governance against corruption. We must strengthen compliance. Compliance is the source of impetus for the effective implementation of the Convention. We should work together for a successful Special session of the General Assembly against corruption 2021. Meanwhile, the future direction of the implementation review mechanism has attracted much attention. China believes that we must keep the review mechanism away from confrontation and politicization.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
There is a Chinese saying: "The water is most wide when the tide is full; the sail only flies with ease when there's a gentle breeze." China will continue to firmly support multilateralism, implement the Convention and translate China's anti-corruption achievements and experience into a driving force for international anti-corruption cooperation. Let us work together to develop an international governance system on anti-corruption following the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and work towards a new international order against corruption.
I wish the Conference a full success.
Thank you.