China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Southeast Asian nations on Thursday to intensify their efforts against online gambling and telecom fraud, calling on those directly affected to actively fulfill their duties.
Wang noted that incidents of online gambling and telecom fraud along the Thai-Myanmar border have jeopardized the safety of citizens from China and other countries, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
During a meeting with ambassadors from the region, he expressed China’s readiness to bolster law enforcement and security collaboration with ASEAN countries to ensure a secure environment for international travel.
Beijing’s push for enhanced security ties reflects its growing concerns about the threats of telecom fraud and human trafficking in Southeast Asia.
This initiative also marks a heightened effort by Beijing to improve cooperation with the ASEAN bloc, which includes countries like Myanmar and Thailand, in addressing transnational crimes.
Previously, Chinese tourists contributed billions of dollars annually to Southeast Asia’s economy before the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the increase in trafficking incidents and alarming reports on Chinese social media about tourists encountering criminal gangs might discourage them from visiting these regions.
In a recent notable incident, Chinese actor Wang Xing, also known as Xingxing, who disappeared near the Thai-Myanmar border earlier this month, was found in Myanmar. Thai authorities suspect he was a victim of human trafficking.
State media CCTV reported that foreign fraud rings have enticed Chinese nationals with lucrative job offers, only to imprison them in telecom fraud operations in places like Myawaddy, on the border between Myanmar and Thailand.
During a cabinet session on Monday, Thai officials pledged to promptly address issues that tarnish Thailand’s reputation as a safe tourist destination, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Last year, Thailand facilitated the repatriation of about 900 Chinese citizens from fraudulent operations in Myawaddy, while Myanmar extradited 31,000 suspects involved in telecom fraud to China in 2023.