EPPO–China Cooperation Agreement
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On Friday, 4 September 2026, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi and Chief Grand Prosecutor of the People’s Republic of China Ying Yong signed a working arrangement between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China. The agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening international judicial cooperation at a time when cross‑border financial crime requires increasingly coordinated and effective responses.
The arrangement sets out the practical modalities of cooperation between the two authorities, in full accordance with their respective legal frameworks. Its primary objective is to intensify joint efforts in combating organised crime groups affecting the financial interests of the European Union, as well as money laundering and corruption. A key component of the cooperation focuses on improving the effectiveness of recovering illicit assets, an area where international coordination is essential to disrupt the movement of criminal proceeds.
The agreement also provides for the exchange of operational knowledge, best practices and relevant information that can enhance the efficiency of investigations and judicial actions. By establishing clear channels of communication and cooperation, EPPO and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate aim to reinforce their ability to address complex financial crimes with transnational dimensions.
This shared commitment to deeper collaboration is further reflected in the 2026–2028 Action Plan, which accompanies the working arrangement. The plan outlines specific priorities for developing efficient cooperation practices in the fields of economic crime, corruption and asset recovery. It is expected to serve as a structured framework for sustained engagement, contributing to greater transparency and more effective protection of the EU’s financial interests.
The EPPO–China working arrangement represents one of the most significant recent initiatives in international judicial cooperation, underscoring the growing role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in addressing sophisticated financial crime across borders.
