Prosecutors eye tech edge to combat financial crimes

The procuratorial organs of China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have pledged to join forces and leverage technology to combat evolving transnational financial crimes in the digital era and protect regional stability and sustainable development.

The remarks were made on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference, which started in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday and concludes on Wednesday.

The conference, focused on the theme of collectively combating money laundering, corruption and strengthening asset recovery in the technological age, is one of the city's foremost judicial events in the second half of 2025, and also stands as a flagship gathering in the legal sphere between China and ASEAN members.

Delivering his address at the opening session, Prosecutor-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate Ying Yong reiterated China's commitment to enhancing collaboration with its ASEAN partners in combating cross-border crimes and upholding regional peace and stability.

He said the long-standing friendship and shared destinies of China and ASEAN members have helped advance bilateral cooperation across various sectors over the past decade. The recently unveiled Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-30) includes an initiative to strengthen cooperation between Chinese and ASEAN judicial and procuratorial authorities, he noted.

New portal

The conference, as an important event under the China-ASEAN framework, plays a significant role in promoting peace, security, prosperity and sustainability among China and ASEAN members, Ying said.

The theme of this year's conference reflects a shared understanding among all participants regarding the dangers of money laundering, corruption, and the cross-border movement of illegal funds, he said, adding that it also demonstrates the common desire of prosecutorial authorities to strengthen international cooperation in combating such crimes and recovering criminal proceeds.

Highlighting the importance that the SPP attaches to the conference, Ying said that in 2017, the procuratorate floated an official website for the conference, creating a platform for enhancing information sharing and collaboration among procuratorial bodies.

A comprehensive revamp of the website this year is expected to deepen exchanges and knowledge sharing among all participating nations, he said.

During the opening session, around 80 participants, including prosecutors-general, attorneys-general and representatives from prosecution authorities on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, Macao and the 10 ASEAN member states — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia — celebrated the launch of the updated conference website.

The new portal, designed by China Daily, will serve as a key platform for strengthening information sharing among the procuratorial organs.

Tech serves as shield

In his address, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that under the principle of "one country, two systems", the SAR has become the sole common law jurisdiction in the world where both Chinese and English are used in legal proceedings.

Lee said he believes in the SAR's unwavering commitment to upholding the spirit of the rule of law, its potential to emerge as a hub for legal services and dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region, and its ability to continue contributing to good relations between China and ASEAN.

Speaking on the theme of this year's conference, he said that technological advancements in terms of cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and the prevalence of the internet and social media pose evolving challenges for law enforcement and prosecution, particularly due to their roles in money laundering and corruption.

However, through regional collaboration and dialogue, technology can also serve as a shield for law enforcement, fostering greater unity and strength between China and ASEAN members, Lee said. "We will master and harness it (technology), and turn its power back against those who seek to disrupt our community," he added.

Legal collaboration

Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok underscored the legal collaboration between the SAR and ASEAN members. He highlighted Hong Kong's agreements on bilateral mutual legal assistance with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore, and legal cooperation with other ASEAN members.

Over the past year, the SAR has processed 85 mutual legal assistance requests received from ASEAN member jurisdictions and has issued eight requests to its ASEAN counterparts, he said, adding that these cases encompass asset recovery requests relating to various offenses, including corruption and money laundering.

Lam pledged that Hong Kong will spare no effort in enhancing collaboration with ASEAN members to address and combat transnational crimes, in response to the evolving economic and social landscape in the region.

On Tuesday, the heads of procuratorate delegations attending the conference also signed a joint declaration, reaffirming the role of the conference in promoting regional peace and sustainable development.

Since its inception in 2004, the conference has become an important platform that not only fosters collaboration among the procuratorial organs of the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, and ASEAN members, but also advances regional collaboration in areas such as law enforcement, security and cultivation of a legally sound business environment.

amberwu@chinadailyhk.com