Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China firmly opposes the US approach of slandering, and even resorting to judicial means to obstruct, China's pursual of fugitives and stolen goods, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Two Chinese citizens living in the US were convicted on various charges on Tuesday as they had "pressured Chinese nationals in the US to return home to face charges."

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that combating transnational crime and carrying out international return of fugitives and stolen goods is a just cause and has been widely recognized by the international community. Chinese law enforcement agencies carry out foreign law enforcement cooperation in strict accordance with international law, fully respect foreign laws and judicial sovereignty, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of criminal suspects in accordance with the law. The relevant actions are beyond reproach, Mao said.

The US smearing of China's actions ignores the basic facts and has ulterior motives, Mao said.

We urge the US side to immediately correct its mistakes, earnestly fulfill its obligations under international treaties such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, shoulder its international responsibilities, and avoid becoming a "safe haven" for criminals.

Global Times