New Yellow River App:

Could you elaborate on the new characteristics and changes in illegal land border crossings and smuggling at ports in recent years? Additionally, what measures has the NIA taken to ensure the safety and stability of the nation's borders and the normal order of exit and entry, and what results have been achieved? Thank you.

Liu Haitao:

Thank you for your question. I will address this. In recent years, with changes in the international landscape and regional geopolitical situations, illegal activities affecting border management have also exhibited new trends and characteristics. In the field of immigration management, this is primarily reflected in two aspects: First, in border areas, illegal exits of Chinese nationals have been curbed, with the number of apprehended individuals decreasing by 30% compared to last year. However, due to various factors, there has been an increase in the number of foreign nationals illegally entering for work through cross-border smuggling. We have been closely monitoring this. Second, at open ports, domestic and international smuggling gangs have been collaborating. They recruit individuals, falsify invitation letters, defraud social security payments and mask would-be smugglers as businesspeople or qualified company employees to obtain travel documents. These gangs then organize them to engage in cross-border criminal activities abroad. There remains a notable phenomenon of criminal groups organizing mainland residents to travel via Hong Kong and Macao to countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Central and South America for transit smuggling.

To ensure the safety and stability of national borders and the normal order of entry and exit, the NIA has coordinated and guided immigration management institutions nationwide to deepen the integrated approach of "strike, investigate, manage, treat and coordinate" in combating all forms of illegal activities affecting national border management.

We have continuously carried out special crackdown operations. As I mentioned earlier, we have been conducting the "Mongoose" operation for four consecutive years. The mongoose, a natural enemy of snakes, symbolizes our operation. Relying on the "Mongoose" initiative, we have strengthened supervision over major and serious cases, and centrally deployed cluster campaigns. This approach has enabled concentrated analysis of similar cases, collaborative investigation of cross-regional cases, and comprehensive strikes against entire criminal networks. We have successfully severed numerous smuggling routes and effectively dismantled many illegal profit chains, effectively deterring the audacity of criminals both domestically and abroad.

We have enhanced targeted inspections at border ports. In fulfilling our statutory responsibilities for border inspections, we promptly analyze trends in cross-border crimes such as smuggling and dynamically adjust targeted inspection measures to rigorously monitor and prevent illegal entry and exit activities.

We have strengthened border patrols and controls. We have improved the three-dimensional border defense system by leveraging physical, technological and human defenses. This includes effective management of mountain passes, trails and ferry points that connect to external areas, further reinforcing the border defense line.

We have also implemented source management in critical areas. By integrating the dual strategies of enforcement and governance, we have integrated anti-smuggling efforts into grassroots comprehensive governance. We have conducted concentrated rectification activities in these areas, closing down non-compliant and illegal intermediary agencies and investigating non-compliant and illegal businesses. As a result, smuggling in critical areas has been effectively curbed.

We have continuously deepened international law enforcement cooperation, strengthening collaboration with relevant countries and regions. We have improved mechanisms for sharing intelligence, jointly investigating and handling cases, and pursuing and capturing fugitives. Efforts in the overseas "Mongoose" operation have been ramped up, resolutely squeezing the space for criminals abroad to evade justice.

Since this year, more than 22,000 illegal and criminal cases that obstruct border administrations have been solved nationwide, resulting in the arrest of over 39,000 criminal suspects. More than 6,000 illegal immigrants have been apprehended and 103 fugitive targets who had fled abroad have been successfully captured in cooperation with relevant countries. The effectiveness of these actions in deterring and combating such crimes continues to grow. Moving forward, the NIA will remain focused on the overall situation of national political security as well as economic and social development. We will unwaveringly apply a holistic approach to national security. With higher standards, more detailed planning and more concrete measures, we will maintain a strong and sustained crackdown on various crimes that hinder national (border) security. Our goal is to fully safeguard national political security, border stability and the proper order of entry and exit. Thank you!