China's dual role in the global fight against telecom fraud

Editor's note: Zhang Cong, a special commentator for CGTN, holds a doctorate from Tsinghua University and currently serves as a lecturer at the School of Sociology and Political Science, Anhui University; his research expertise lies in international security and defense diplomacy. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In the global crusade against the pernicious scourge of cross-border telecommunications fraud, China has transcended the role of a mere victim to emerge as a decisive architect of international security, driving a paradigm shift from fragmented responses to coordinated global governance.

In confronting this challenge, China has never been absent. Instead, through systematic domestic governance and robust international law enforcement collaboration, it has continuously contributed Chinese experience, wisdom and strength.

A June report by the International Criminal Police Organization reveals that scam (39.18%) and phishing (25.49%) collectively account for over 60% of cybercrimes in the Asia and South Pacific region. Furthermore, a February United Nations report highlights that nearly three-quarters of scam activities are concentrated in the Mekong region, though these activities have also spread to certain Pacific Island nations and South Asia, as well as the Gulf states, West Africa and the Americas.

As vividly depicted in the film No More Bets, Chinese citizens are among the primary victim groups of telecom fraud compounds in Southeast Asia. Lured or kidnapped into these zones, they suffer illegal detention, violence and gross human rights violations.

At the same time, Chinese citizens are also a major source of individuals forced by criminal syndicates to serve as fraud perpetrators. Under coercion, they are compelled to engage in various forms of online fraud, ranging from impersonation scams, online extortion, financial fraud as well as romantic scams.

Faced with this grim reality, China has adopted a comprehensive strategy, achieving remarkable results both domestically and internationally. Domestically, the establishment of a national-level coordination mechanism has fostered a whole-of-society anti-fraud framework. According to Ministry of Public Security statistics, telecom fraud cases in the first half of 2026 dropped by 15.6% year-on-year, marking 11 consecutive months of decline since October 2025. 

Internationally, China has engaged in law enforcement cooperation with over 30 countries, including Spain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Myanmar. Since 2023, joint operations with Myanmar have led to the repatriation of over 59,000 Chinese suspects involved in fraud. In early 2025, a ministerial coordination mechanism among China, Myanmar and Thailand was established, facilitating 10 joint repatriation missions and the demolition of over 630 buildings in the notorious KK Park. In 2026 alone, collaborations with the US and the UAE dismantled nine dens and arrested 276 individuals, while cumulative repatriations with various nations have exceeded 20,000.

These tangible achievements in domestic governance and regional joint actions have earned China widespread international recognition. In the realm of international cooperation against telecom fraud, China has demonstrated multiple roles such as advocating security concepts, building cooperation platforms, empowering governance capabilities and shaping a stable order – fully embodying the responsibility and commitment of a responsible major country.

As an advocate of security concepts, China advocates for building a community with a shared future for humanity, promoting the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, and upholding a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

China has explicitly incorporated non-traditional security issues such as cybersecurity into global security governance, and defined telecom fraud as a "global scourge and a worldwide governance challenge." It advances cooperation based on respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, thereby addressing the core concerns of the vast majority of developing nations and winning widespread resonance.

As a builder of cooperation platforms, China has taken the lead in building a multi-level law enforcement cooperation mechanism from bilateral to trilateral and from regional to global. Since its inception in 2022, the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) has hosted over 30 events, attracting nearly 8,000 participants.

The establishment of the International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud in September, 2026, filled a critical void in global anti-fraud platforms, driving law enforcement collaboration toward a normalized and institutionalized footing.

As a provider of governance capacity, China's leadership in public security governance is evident, with the country topping the latest Global Public Security Index with a score of 84.62, according to the report released at a press conference for the 2026 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum.

Having accumulated extensive experience in improving legal frameworks, strengthening institutional mechanisms and employing full-chain technological solutions, China is eager to share its proven practices and technologies with all parties. Through regular law enforcement training and technical assistance, China helps relevant nations, particularly developing countries, enhance their capacity to combat emerging forms of cybercrime, offering "Chinese solutions" that are replicable and scalable.

As an upholder of just order, China, as a responsible major country, is dedicated to supplying institutional public goods. It strives to establish more action-oriented intergovernmental organizations and foster a new paradigm of global governance against telecom fraud characterized by mutual coordination and universal participation.

By continuously refining a global public security cooperation architecture based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, China is contributing significantly to a fairer, more rational and efficient direction for global public security governance.

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