Telecom and cyber fraud have emerged as global threats. Initiated by the Chinese government, an international alliance aimed at combating cross-border telecom and cyber fraud was established last week, with representatives from 46 founding countries, 34 observer countries and four international organizations, including the United Nations and Interpol, attending the inaugural conference in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province.

China has already achieved significant results through cross-border law enforcement cooperation with several countries. The alliance can create a vital mechanism for pooling efforts to safeguard the safety and legal rights of citizens, corporations and other entities worldwide. Designed to promote cooperation among law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational telecom and cyber fraud and related crimes, the message could not be clearer: strong international action is needed to counter telecom and cyber fraud, which have become a global scourge.

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In recent years, organized criminal activities, from phishing scams and identity theft to complex schemes involving ransomware and financial fraud, have become rampant in some places. The financial losses are staggering.

Beyond the economic impact, these crimes erode trust in digital and communication systems, hindering technological advancement and economic growth. As digital transformation accelerates globally, the potential for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerable people and entities increases, making concerted actions imperative to address the threats.

One of the primary challenges in combating telecom and cyber fraud is the transnational nature of the crimes. Cybercriminals often operate across multiple countries, exploiting legal and regulatory gaps between them. This complexity is compounded by the rapid evolution of technology.

The threats are exacerbated by the lack of necessary resources and expertise in many countries to effectively tackle these complicated crimes that often involve advanced technology. These challenges necessitate a unified international approach to develop and implement more focused, professional, efficient and action-oriented measures to counter such crimes.

Hence, international law-enforcement cooperation is essential in the fight against telecom and cyber fraud. A coordinated global effort can help facilitate information sharing, and enhance technical and operational capabilities across borders. The new alliance aims to achieve these objectives by fostering collaboration among member countries. It highlights the importance of international conventions as a foundation for collective action, ensuring that responses are not only reactive but also proactive and preventive.

The newly formed platform will work alongside existing international organizations and cooperation mechanisms to enhance the global system for combating and tackling telecom fraud crimes within the framework of international law.

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China's push for this alliance is grounded in hard-won experience. The country has been at the forefront of combating telecom and cyber fraud. Over the years, it has gained extensive experience in cracking down on these criminal activities and achieved significant results. Chinese authorities have dismantled numerous criminal networks and recovered substantial amounts of stolen funds.

The new alliance is a promising beginning. The world cannot afford to let criminals outpace cooperation. It is crucial for countries to work together, leverage their strengths and resources to develop comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of telecom and cyber fraud. Through collaboration, innovation and shared commitment, the international community can effectively combat these threats.

The establishment of the alliance underscores China's determination to foster an international approach to address telecom and cyber fraud crimes and its commitment to implementing the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative through coordination and broad participation.