China's legislature on Friday approved a treaty on judicial cooperation with New Zealand on criminal cases, which will help enhance cooperation and fight international crime.

 

Under the treaty, the two countries will provide each other with broad assistance in criminal investigations, prosecution and litigation.

 

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said, "With the development of ties, criminal cases involving the two countries are on the rise."

 

Wu said the treaty would further enhance judicial cooperation between the two countries, as well as bilateral cooperation.

 

The 22-article treaty was signed by former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in New Zealand's capital Wellington on April 6, 2006.

 

Lawmakers discussed the 22-article treaty at the 28th session of the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) from June 24 to 29.

 

China has signed mutual legal assistance treaties with about 50 countries, and bilateral extradition treaties with more than 20 countries.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2007)