China urged to grow legal talent for global fight against terrorism, corruption and cyberscams
- The country needs experienced professionals as it takes on bigger role in international law enforcement, according to top prosecutor
- Analysts say Beijing wants people who can handle ‘complex multi-jurisdictional matters’ amid growing competition with West
Ying Yong, head of China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate, called on prosecutors to focus on cultivating talent with international legal expertise and experience in “international law enforcement and judicial activities in counterterrorism, anti-corruption, and combating cybercrime” in a study session on Thursday.
“[We should] quickly cultivate a team of high-end talent with firm political beliefs, excellent professional qualities, a deep understanding of international rules and expertise in foreign-related legal practices,” Ying said, according to a report on his office’s website.
Wang Jiangyu, a law professor at City University of Hong Kong, said the move showed China had taken concrete action on developing “foreign-related rule of law” – an initiative launched in 2020 to connect Chinese law and foreign and international law – so it was no longer just “a vague slogan”.
He said the emphasis on anti-corruption showed that the top prosecutor’s responsibilities in that area – especially China’s “Operation Fox Hunt” to track down fugitives abroad – required overseas collaboration.
