BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Barbados and China yesterday signed two treaties aimed at assisting each other in investigating criminal matters and bringing fugitives to justice.

Acting Attorney General Michael Lashley signed the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty as well as an Extradition Treaty with China’s Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao.

Lashley said that the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty would enable both countries to receive assistance in terms of investigations, prosecutions and other proceedings related to criminal matters.

He said the extradition treaty would allow for more effective cooperation between the countries in the suppression of crime on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and equality.

“The Government of Barbados is pleased to be a signatory to these treaties since they provide additional avenues for intelligence gathering at a time of widespread transnational crime.

“In these circumstances, it is necessary to build partnerships for information sharing and other forms of cooperation as we seek to improve our ability to respond to these global challenges.

“The activation of these treaties will add value to the law enforcement milieu and help to strengthen investigative capacities and capabilities,” he added.