China, US discuss fighting bribery

By Liu Chang

Washington is in talks with Beijing on fighting against corruption and transnational bribery, General Counsel of the US Department of Commerce Cameron Kerry said Wednesday.

The US and China had legal talks on the rule of law in both countries, and they discussed ways to improve transparencies in both country's legal systems, Kerry said at a press conference in Beijing, adding that the aim of the talks is to "expand and develop mutual cooperation with China in fighting transnational bribery."

In the discussions, the two sides explored corruption and laid out laws and enforcements in the two countries that apply to corruption and transnational bribery.

"The rule of law is fundamental to the development of trade and commerce globally," Kerry said. "An effective trade depends on having a set of rules that are predictable, fair and open."

"Fighting corruption and transnational bribery builds trust between governments, and a liable market and liable companies," he said, adding that exchanges on the set of laws of both sides were important because "we cannot have double standards at home and transnational."

Kerry quoted Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo, who, in a speech at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in Singapore last year, said that "the partnership between China and the US in anti-corruption is important," and the two countries are working together to "fight transnational bribery."

Kerry commented that the speech "sent a strong message to the international business community that the US and Chinese governments recognize the positive impact and importance of an international market free of bribery, corruption and fraud."

Next week, Gary Locke, the US secretary of commerce, will visit Shanghai and Beijing for strategic economic talks and discussions on green energy.

Chinese and US officials will meet again in August to explore the prevention and punishment of corruption, and to work with multinational companies both globally and in China to explore the best practices to prevent the splurge of corruption.