Ying Yong, Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) of the People's Republic of China led a delegation on a visit to Saudi Arabia from Oct 28 to 30 (local time) at the invitation of his Saudi Arabian counterpart.
During his three-day visit in Saudi Arabia, Ying met with Saudi Arabia's Chief Prosecutor Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb and Khalid Luhaidan, the kingdom's top justice.
In his speech, Ying noted that Saudi Arabia is an important member of the Arab and Islamic world, and a key strategic partner of China in the Middle East, saying that since the two countries established diplomatic relations 33 years ago, bilateral relations have developed smoothly and great strides have been made in their cooperation in various fields.
China-Saudi Arabia relations are in their best period historically, and both sides respect each other's sovereignty and development path, as well as each other's historical and cultural traditions. They have supported each other in maintaining national security and stability, and carried out close strategic cooperation under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state in recent years, Ying stressed.
He said the SPP is willing to work with Saudi Arabia's top prosecutorial organ and top court to fully implement the consensus of the two heads of state, further deepen friendly cooperation, and make new contributions to the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership.
After introducing the progress of China's rule of law, Ying noted that the 20th National Congress of the CPC has mapped out a grand blueprint for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through China-style modernization.
China's prosecutorial organs are carrying out the arrangements and requirements in the report of the 20th CPC National Congress and accelerating the modernization of their procuratorial work, and better serving the Chinese path to modernization, Ying added.
In the kingdom's top prosecutorial organ, the Chinese delegation discussed the main functions, organizational systems, punishment of transnational crimes, and promotion of prosecutorial informatization construction of the two countries' procuratorial organs with local prosecutors.
Ying stated that there are many similarities in the functions and responsibilities of the procuratorial organs of China and Saudi Arabia, and there is broad space for deepening friendly cooperation.
The SPP is willing to further deepen practical cooperation with the top procuratorial organ of Saudi Arabia in combating violent terrorist crimes, transnational crimes, and new types of crimes, as well as in strengthening the construction of prosecutorial informatization, conducting high-level exchanges and training of prosecutorial personnel, respecting and supporting each other's core interests, continuously tapping into the potential of cooperation, and expanding cooperation, to better benefit both countries and their peoples, he added.
At the kingdom's top court, Ying and Saudi Arabia's top justice Luhaidan introduced the situation of the judicial systems and judicial work of both countries.
Although the two countries' judicial systems and institutions are different, the mission and responsibility of punishing crimes, protecting human rights and public welfare, maintaining judicial fairness, and achieving social fairness and justice are common, Ying noted.
He said that the SPP is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with Saudi Arabian judicial institutions and share their respective practices and experiences in promoting fair justice and developing the rule of law, as well as to work together to maintain social fairness and justice.
Al-Mojeb said that Saudi Arabia’s procuratorial organs are looking forward to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Chinese procuratorial organs, jointly improving both sides’ ability and level of performing their duties, and providing high-quality judicial guarantees for the construction of the Chinese path to modernization and the docking of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" plan.
Luhaidan spoke highly of China's proposal and efforts in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He shared that he believes that the initiative has brought new opportunities for countries and people involve in the BRI, adding that the top court of Saudi Arabia is willing to further carry out effective cooperation with Chinese judicial organs to contribute to the consolidation and deepening of friendly relations between the two countries to realize higher quality growth.
Members of the Chinese delegation included Chen Yong, Prosecutor General of the People's Procuratorates of Shanghai Municipality, and Lin Yiying, Wang Shou'an, Prosecutor Generals from the People's Procuratorates of Zhejiang Province and Hubei Province, respectively. Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing also attended the meeting.
