Malaysia, China To Set Up Working Group On Immigration Cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and China have agreed to set up a working group on immigration cooperation, said Deputy Home Minister of Malaysia Lee Chee Leong. He said this in a statement issued by Wisma Putra, following his meeting with China's Vice-Minister of Public Security, Meng Hongwei, in Beijing on Friday. Lee is currently on a four-day visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese Government aimed at further strengthening the good relations between both countries concerning security matters. The working group will focus on related immigration matters, including addressing the issues of illegal immigrants and visa abuses leading to vice activities, and facilitating genuine travellers. The first meeting of the working group will be tentatively held in Malaysia within this year. Both sides are also exploring avenues to sign a specific Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Immigration Cooperation. Malaysia had also signed similar MoUs on the matter with Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Earlier, Lee met China's Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu who expressed satisfaction with the ongoing security relations between law enforcement agencies of Malaysia and China, especially in combating transnational crime. During their meeting, Meng also extended an invitation to Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to visit China soon to conclude an Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Transnational Crime. Malaysia and China have agreed in principle to sign the agreement last year. -- BERNAMA