Recently, certain media outlet in New Zealand has fabricated and spread fake narratives about China conducting cross-border law enforcement and "transnational repression" in New Zealand. The content involved is farfetched, riddled with lies and violates common sense. It is a laughable attempt to make something out of nothing with the aim to maliciously smear and vilify China.
Law enforcement and judicial cooperation among countries under the framework of INTERPOL is an important component of the international order based on international law. Upholding this international order requires acting in accordance with universally recognized international rules, which conforms to the common interests of the international community and is an obligation to be fulfilled by all responsible members of the international community.
China and New Zealand carry out normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation within the framework of INTERPOL and relevant bilateral instruments, which fully complies with international law and relevant agreed rules. Such cooperation between the two countries is mutually beneficial, aimed at combating illegal and criminal activities, safeguarding public interests, and ensuring the safety of the peoples of both countries.
China carries out international law enforcement and judicial cooperation in strict accordance with the law, and in that process, fully respects the laws and judicial sovereignty of other countries and protects the lawful rights and interests of the persons concerned in accordance with law. Attempts to smear China with accusations of“transnational repression” and “foreign interference”are baseless and futile.
The suspects mentioned in the reports stand charged with embezzlement based on clear facts and substantiated evidence. Acts of embezzling public funds or abusing official positions for personal gain constitute criminal offenses and are thus punishable by law in all countries. Attempts to whitewash crimes and thereby enable criminals to evade justice by fabricating sensational narratives, politicizing common criminal acts, or dressing up suspects as “victims of persecution” are wrong, immoral and doomed to fail. No country should serve as a “safe haven” for harboring or shielding criminals. If criminals could escape punishment merely by fleeing to another country, there would be no fairness and justice, flouting basic human decency, the common standards of right and wrong, and the spirit of the rule of law. Such practices contravene the common interests of the international community and harm the welfare of peoples of the countries concerned.
Certain media outlet has perverted black and white, maliciously and yet hamhandedly recycling long-debunked lies with ulterior motives. Their aim is to mislead the public, vilify China, smear normal China-New Zealand law enforcement and judicial cooperation, and disrupt the overall mutually-beneficial bilateral relations between the two countries. Whitewashing common criminals is disgraceful and only erodes their own credibility. No individual with a sense of justice or basic common sense would fall for their fabrications. We firmly believe that justice may be delayed, but will be done!