China's
legislature on Friday approved a treaty on judicial cooperation
with New Zealand on criminal cases, which will help enhance
cooperation and fight international crime.
Under the treaty, the two countries will provide each other with
broad assistance in criminal investigations, prosecution and
litigation.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said, "With the
development of ties, criminal cases involving the two countries are
on the rise."
Wu said the treaty would further enhance judicial cooperation
between the two countries, as well as bilateral cooperation.
The 22-article treaty was signed by former Chinese Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing in New Zealand's capital Wellington on April
6, 2006.
Lawmakers discussed the 22-article treaty at the 28th session of
the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC)
from June 24 to 29.
China has signed mutual legal assistance treaties with about 50
countries, and bilateral extradition treaties with more than 20
countries.
(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2007)