Chinese President Jiang Zemin discussed the global problem of organized crime in a meeting Sunday in Guangzhou with participants of the Regional Conference of Attorneys-General of Countries in Asia and Europe, which officially opens Monday.

After welcoming his guests, Jiang called on attorneys-general in Asia and Europe to work more closely together to reduce criminal activities to the utmost and build an environment that can offer peace and development in the regions and the world at large.

Though there are differences in history, social systems, economic levels, cultural traditions and judicial systems between Asian and European countries, Jiang said, all have the same wish to pursue a safe and happy life.

To safeguard world peace and stability and promote economic development and prosperity, countries in both Asia and Europe should collaborate to strike against crime, Jiang said.

Jiang urged the participants of the meeting, themed "International Cooperation and Combating Transnational Organized Crime" to study the trends and characteristics of transnational crimes. He also asked them to discuss issues of cooperation among state procuratorate departments for carrying out the United Nations pact on combating transnational organized crime and striking against and preventing terrorism.

The meeting, proposed by China's Supreme People's Procuratorate, has attracted 240 participants from 38 countries to Guangzhou, in south China's Guangdong Province.

( November 12, 2001)