Key points:
- China and ASEAN nations announce joint initiative to combat online gambling and fraud
- The initiative aims to address multiple criminal activities associated with illegal gambling operations
- China's broader crackdown includes heavy penalties for cross-border gambling
China has announced plans to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN nations in combating online gambling and telecommunication fraud, following a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and ASEAN ambassadors in Beijing.
Wang highlighted the surge in severe cases of online gambling and telecom fraud – particularly along the Myanmar-Thailand border – which have impacted the safety and property of citizens from both China and ASEAN countries.
He urged the involved nations to take responsibility and implement robust measures to safeguard their populations and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
As part of the discussion, China has expressed its readiness to enhance both bilateral and multilateral law enforcement collaborations with ASEAN nations, with the goal of creating a secure environment for people-to-people exchanges and maintaining stable regional cooperation.
This collaboration builds upon China's existing stringent approach to cross-border gambling, as evidenced by the Supreme People's Court's directive in 2024 calling for severe penalties against gambling organisers and repeat offenders.
Off the back of this directive, courts can now impose fines of up to RMB800,000 ($109,000) and, in extreme cases, life imprisonment.
This crackdown aims to address multiple concerns, including domestic fund outflows, money laundering, fraud, kidnapping and extortion associated with overseas casinos and online gambling operations targeting Chinese citizens.
