International body to fight telecom and cyber fraud launched in Jiangsu

The International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud was officially launched on Thursday in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, bringing together representatives from 46 founding countries, 34 observer countries, and four international organizations, including the United Nations and Interpol.

Initiated by the Chinese government, the alliance aims to strengthen international cooperation against transnational telecom and cyber fraud and related crimes.

Representatives from China, and several initiating and founding countries — including Vietnam, Laos, Kenya, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Russia — addressed the inaugural meeting, while an Interpol representative delivered congratulatory remarks.

Participants welcomed the establishment of the alliance and expressed confidence that it would help curb the global spread of telecom and cyber fraud and contribute to stronger public security.

A joint statement on the establishment of the international alliance combating telecom and cyber fraud was released at the meeting.

The statement said participating countries recognize telecom and cyber fraud as an increasingly serious global threat and see a need for a more focused, professional, efficient, and action-oriented intergovernmental mechanism based on international conventions.

Such a mechanism, it said, would help countries jointly combat telecom and cyber fraud and related crimes while better protecting the safety and legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal entities, and other organizations.

Based on this shared vision, the participating countries agreed to jointly establish the alliance.

The alliance is intended to serve as a professional intergovernmental organization with broad participation from law enforcement agencies and a certain capacity for operational coordination.

Its core function will be to respond more effectively to cross-border telecom and cyber fraud and associated criminal activities through closer international law enforcement cooperation.

The initiative is also part of China's efforts to advance the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.

Participants said the new platform is expected to strengthen coordination among countries and turn shared concerns over transnational fraud into more practical and effective joint action.