Evolution of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang)
In 2015, the International Law Enforcement Cooperation Forum on Secure Corridor of the New Eurasian Land Bridge (Lianyungang), or the Lianyungang Forum, was established on the initiative of the Ministry of Public Security of China in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, as a platform for dialogue and cooperation with the guiding philosophy of “Cooperative Security for Common Prosperity”. In September of the same year, the inaugural Lianyungang Forum was held, marking a new vehicle for advancing international law enforcement and security cooperation.
The forum has successfully held five annual conferences by 2020. From putting forward the “Five Vision Initiatives” to launching the “Five Action Plans”, from establishing the “Five Major Platforms” to forming the “Five Mechanisms”, the Lianyungang Forum, adhering to the spirit of open cooperation, gradually built a stable platform for international law enforcement and security cooperation featuring inter-connectivity, sharing and co-governance. The forum’s influence was greatly enhanced.
In 2022, the Lianyungang Forum was transformed and upgraded to the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) (GPSCFL).
The First Lianyungang Forum (2015)
From September 22 to 24, 2015, the First Lianyungang Forum was held successfully. This endeavor was in direct response to the concrete mandate articulated by President Xi Jinping, who emphasized the imperative of “sound interactions and the synchronized progress of regional economic and security cooperation”.
(1) Overview of the Forum
Representatives from law enforcement departments of 12 countries and 15 cities along the land bridge, including Russia, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Germany, as well as police liaison officers from relevant countries stationed in China, officials from the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and INTERPOL were invited to attend. The forum focused on establishing a new platform for law enforcement security cooperation among countries along the New Eurasian Land Bridge. It conducted an in-depth analysis of the current security situation along the New Eurasian Land Bridge, explored ideas and measures as well as new models of cooperation to create a secure corridor and safeguard the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
(2) Important Outcomes: The “Three Ones” Initiative
Adhere to the philosophy of a shared community. We firmly establish the awareness of a community with a shared future for the safety of the New Eurasian Land Bridge, strengthen strategic dialogue and policy and action coordination, seek common ground while reserving differences, and gather consensus.
Explore a new path for law enforcement and security cooperation. We focus on maintaining the safety along the New Eurasian Land Bridge, continuously expand areas of cooperation, seek new ways to collaborate, ensure security through cooperation, and promote development guaranteed by security, with a view to exploring a new model for win-win cooperation that is built, shared and benefited by all.
Create a safe corridor. With efforts made by various countries, we aim to jointly build a safe corridor and ensure the peaceful passage through the New Eurasian Land Bridge.
The Second Lianyungang Forum (2016)
From September 27 to 28, 2016, the Second Lianyungang Forum, themed “Collective Responses to Emerging Challenges for Law Enforcement and Security”, was held successfully in Lianyungang City.
The scale of the forum has been further expanded, with over 300 representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations discussed over the theme and agreed upon the Five Action Plans, i.e. deepening mutual trust and exchange, improving cooperation platforms, jointly building capacity, deepening practical cooperation, and promoting the development of the security industry”.
The Third Lianyungang Forum (2017)
From December 11 to 13, 2017, the Third Lianyungang Forum and the First International Cooperation Conference on Transnational Oil-gas Pipelines Security, themed “Jointly Building a Community with Shared Future in Law Enforcement and Security”, was held successfully in Lianyungang City.
(1) Overview of the Forum
The forum released the Joint Statement of the Lianyungang Forum, proposing the establishment of Five Major Cooperation Platforms, i.e. capacity building alignment, intelligence and information sharing, joint action coordination, project security cooperation, and academic exchange on security. The Joint Statement also aims to gradually form the Lianyungang Mechanism for the international law enforcement and security cooperation, which advocates cooperation, innovation, rule of law, and win-win outcomes, pools the synergy in building a community with a shared future for law enforcement and security, and promotes sustainable development guaranteed by universal security.
(2) Major Event: Lianyungang Security Expo
On December 11, 2017, during the Third Lianyungang Forum, the Police Equipment and Public Safety Products Expo, themed “Belt and Road·Security First” was held in Jiangsu Lianyungang Industrial Exhibition Center.
The Forth Lianyungang Forum (2018)
From September 12 to 14, 2018, the Fourth Lianyungang Forum, themed “Jointly Opening a New Chapter of Cooperation on Law Enforcement Capacity Building”, was held successfully in Lianyungang City.
The forum gathered officials from law enforcement agencies and international organizations from over 30 countries. Representatives from all participating parties proposed the establishment of a joint working group or police liaison center, as well as the establishment of Five Major Cooperation Mechanisms, i.e. Directors of International Cooperation liaison mechanism, port city security cooperation mechanism, cross-border freight train security cooperation mechanism, cross-border oil and gas pipeline security cooperation mechanism, and major project security cooperation mechanism.
The participating parties commended the Lianyungang Forum for its important role in promoting international law enforcement and security cooperation, and unanimously agreed to have regular consultations and decisions on the construction and development of the forum, major project cooperation plans, positions on international security issues, and important joint action deployments.
The Fifth Lianyungang Forum (2020)
From December 9 to 10, 2020, the Fifth Lianyungang Forum, themed “Security Situation and International Law Enforcement Cooperation amid the New Normal of COVID-19 Prevention and Control”, was held successfully in Lianyungang City.
(1) Overview of the Forum
The forum, held in a hybrid format, gathered heads of law enforcement and security departments from 30 countries and three international organizations, having in-depth exchanges on the new challenges posed by COVID-19 to global security and countermeasures. Participants proposed to innovate on and improve international law enforcement cooperation mechanisms, deepen international cooperation in combatting new types of transnational crimes such as epidemic related crimes and cybercrime, actively promote the construction of all-weather alignment and emergency response mechanisms, innovate security cooperation models for major projects, strengthen law enforcement capacity building under COVID-19 prevention and control on an ongoing basis, and enhance the ability to maintain social stability and promote economic development.
(2) Major Event: the Sub-forum on Combatting New Types of Transnational Crimes Successfully Convened
In the context of COVID-19, new types of transnational crimes, such as telecommunications fraud, online gambling, and COVID-19-related crimes, have emerged and spread, seriously affecting the public security and people’s interests of all countries. The forum plays a positive role in discussing and jointly combatting new transnational crimes, cracking down on such crimes, and better safeguarding the security of various countries. It is conducive to further deepening international law enforcement and security cooperation, and consolidating the joint efforts to combat new types of transnational crimes.
(3) Major Achievements: “Excellent Projects in Overseas Security Development”
In order to encourage enterprises to explore overseas security systems that are suitable for their own characteristics, the forum proposes to promote the construction of an all-weather alignment and emergency response mechanism, innovate on major project security cooperation models, form a joint force to maintain major project security, organize and carry out the “Excellent Projects for Overseas Security Development” selection activity, and commend a group of advanced collectives and individuals who have outstanding performance in international security and security management.
Transformation and Upgrade
On August 31, 2022, the Virtual Round-Table on Development Strategy of Lianyungang Forum was successfully held. 17 representatives from 13 countries and international organizations gathered online, to exchange in-depth views on important issues such as the forum’s development direction, governance structure, and next steps, and reached important consensus. With the joint efforts of the international community, the Lianyungang Forum embarked on a path of transformation and upgrading. A more international, open, inclusive, and pragmatic Lianyungang Forum will continue to be an important force in promoting international security cooperation.
