China - IOM, in close coordination with the Chinese Ministries of Public Security and Foreign Affairs, is this week facilitating a nine-day visit for high level Chinese officials to Austria, France and Bulgaria to study measures to prevent and address human trafficking.

The visit is part of IOM’s EU-China Dialogue on Migration and Mobility Support Project funded by the European Union Partnership Instrument. The project seeks to establish dialogue between the EU and China on migration and mobility through maximizing the benefits of regular migration and addressing the risks and challenges of irregular migration.

As a contribution to the improvement of EU-China cooperation on reducing the risks of irregular migration, the visit aims to enhance information-sharing mechanisms for joint investigative operations between European and Chinese authorities tasked with combating human trafficking.

Pär Liljert, Head of IOM’s Liaison Office to China, said that he hoped that the meetings between the senior Chinese and European officials will lead to closer cooperation, particularly on identification of and assistance to victims of trafficking.

Despite many challenges, both sides have increased their efforts to step-up the fight against organized crime, including trafficking and smuggling networks, through developing legal frameworks that support and improve the quality of joint trafficking investigations, according to Liljert.

During the past 12 months, IOM has witnessed an increase in the return of victims of trafficking from Europe to China. With an increase in smuggling of migrants to Europe and the ongoing migration crisis in the region, the exchange visit is a timely opportunity for the EU and China to share their experiences of trafficking and smuggling and strengthen their cooperation in this area, he notes.

For further information please contact Pär Liljert at the IOM Liaison Office in China, Email: pliljert@iom.int, Tel. +86 010 59799695.