Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji has finished a six-country tour of Europe by visiting the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. Ron Pemstein reports from Brussels on the first visit by a Chinese leader. As a direct result of the death of 58 Chinese citizens last month at the British port of Dover, China and the European Union have agreed to work together to stop the illegal smuggling of aliens to Europe. Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, speaking through an interpreter at European Commission headquarters, says China has laws to prevent this crime.
China is resolutely opposed to illegal emigration.
We have formulated strict legislation and adopted strict measures in order to stop such crimes as illegal emigration and the smuggling of aliens. But a reporter pointed out to the Chinese Prime Minister that the laws in his country are not being respected so long as illegal Chinese immigration continues to flood into Europe. Prime Minister Zhu took offense. No country in the world is able to guarantee that. But we are actually trying our best to make sure that the laws are abided by.