Home Office Minister welcomes increased Chinese cooperation to tackle serious crime and migration issues

Following a visit to southern China, Home Office Minister David Hanson MP has welcomed the country's renewed commitment to work with UK authorities to break up Chinese crime networks.

Mr Hanson, Minister of State responsible for crime and policing, was visiting Fujian Province on the 17th and 18th November to discuss UK trade and investment, and illegal migration and organised crime with regional leaders.

Growing cooperation between the Fujian authorities and the UK Border Agency and Serious and Organised Crime Agency has strengthened relationships between the two countries by helping to tackle illegal immigration and organised crime. This work includes the joint re-documentation of Chinese nationals living in the UK illegally, which has helped increase the number of Chinese nationals returned home.

Following his visit Mr Hanson hailed the large and growing economic links between Fujian Province in southern China and the UK. UK businesses are among the largest foreign investors in the region, including household names such as Tesco and BP.

Mr Hanson said:

"The UK and Fujianese authorities recognise the need to work together to tackle the joint threat of cross-border crime. I also welcome the major economic benefits that UK trade and investment in the region bring to both our countries."

Mr Hanson held talks with Vice Governor Mr Hong Jiexu of Fujian Province and with the leaders of the Province's Public Security authorities responsible for law enforcement cooperation. Fujian is the ancestral home of many in the UK's Chinese community.

Posted Saturday November 28^th 2009
By Home Office