One of China's top anti-corruption officials on Monday urged governmental departments to work more closely with other countries to fight corruption.

Wu Guanzheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, speaking at a meeting for implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption said, "Government departments should narrow the gap between the UN convention and domestic laws and strengthen international cooperation."

China became a member of the United Nation (UN) Convention against Corruption after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) ratified the convention on Oct. 27, 2005. "We should improve cooperation in law enforcement, judicial assistance, criminal suspect repatriation and the return of illicit money with the help of other members of the convention," said Wu.

China will also make joint efforts with other members of the convention to prevent corruption and curb commercial bribery.

He said the country will fast track negotiations with other countries leading to treaties to new extradition and judicial assistance.

He said China will learn other country's anti-corruption experiences and further improve the effectiveness of its own anti-corruption efforts.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, together with more than 20 Party and governmental departments held a meeting here on Monday on the implementation of the UN Convention against corruption.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2006)