China to ratify UN corruption convention
By Sun Shangwu (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-10-24 05:14

China's top legislature is expected to ratify an international anti-corruption convention this week, making it harder for crooked officials to escape abroad with their ill-gotten gains.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption, signed by the Chinese Government two years ago, is consistent with China's laws and its fight against corruption, said Premier Wen Jiabao in a bill tabled to the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC).

Law-makers started a six-day session on Saturday to deliberate on a series of daft laws as well as ratification of the UN convention.

The ratification will improve cross-border co-operation, easing the repatriation of corrupt officials who flee abroad and the recovery of assets taken out of China, said Wen.

The convention, signed by a total of 30 countries, will take effect on December 14, this year.

Covering five categories, the convention includes directions on preventing corruption and pursuing convictions for crimes such as bribery, embezzlement, and money laundering, as well as guidelines for international co-operation.

Signatories are bound to provide assistance in the recovery of assets taken out of the country by corrupt officials, said Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei.

(China Daily 10/24/2005 page2)