More needed for Lai's return from Canada

Widening the bottleneck to clear the way for the deportation of Lai Changxing, China's most wanted fugitive, from Canada will be a significant step in Sino-Canadian judicial cooperation, says an article in Southern Weekend. Excerpt:

Canada has become a haven for Chinese criminals, among whom Lai Changxing is the most notorious, despite being the first Western country to sign a "complementary agreement on criminal procedural law" with China because the two countries have no agreement on extradition.

Canadian officials began a new risk evaluation in 2006 for Lai's deportation, and have been unwilling to deport Lai because they fear he could be sentenced to death on his return to China.

China did not hand Lai's former wife, Zeng Mingna, the death sentence after she returned voluntarily to the country, even though she was wanted in several serious criminal cases.

In fact, Zeng got a good treatment on her return home. This shows China is committed to honoring its solemn promise of not executing Lai.

China and Canada can further cooperate on deportation (or extradition) of criminal fugitives if the death penalty risk is removed. Apart from honoring commitments and striving to sign an extradition treaty as soon as possible, the two countries should also intensify communications in the fields of justice and law enforcement.

All in all, China and Canada could explore an effective way to address the deportation (or extradition) issue as long as the two cooperate sincerely and respect each other's legal systems and cultures.

(China Daily 08/18/2009 page9)