U.S. to Host Annual China Law-Enforcement Conference

U.S. Trade & Aid Monitor ^ | Aug. 28, 2013 | Steve Peacock

[Steve Peacock]

U.S. and Chinese criminal justice officials are gearing up for their next annual gathering in Washington, D.C, where the U.S. Department of State is preparing to hold the 11th meeting of the China-U.S. Joint Liaison Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation (JLG).

The JLG is one of 54 U.S. government policy groups that address U.S.-China relations, a "misaligned institutional structure that has been created haphazardly over time rather than consciously designed," according to Heritage Foundation scholar Derek Scissors.

These groups have the potential to improve diplomacy between the two nations, but at the time of his 2011 policy backgrounder "Tools to Build the U.S.–China Economic Relationship" Dr. Scissors claimed that the process was "wasteful and ineffective."

State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is coordinating the procurement of multiple hotel-meeting rooms and a banquet hall for 80 participants during the two-day event.

Last year the JLG met in Guangzhou, China to discuss, according to State, "the pressing transnational criminal threats that affect both countries."

"The talks resulted in commitments to target chemical precursors to illicit drugs and cooperate on combating firearms smuggling and Internet child pornography," State said last December. Illegal wildlife smuggling also was addressed.

ADDITIONAL U.S.-CHINA COVERAGE:

U.S. Picks Up Tab to Expand China's Economy

Obama to Help Thriving 'Fracking' Industry Set Up Shop in China

U.S. to Channel Cash Toward China Groundwater-Cleanup Project

USDA to Train Chefs from China's Upscale Hotels