China, U.S. seek stronger cooperation on anti-terror, cybersecurity, hunt for corrupt officials

BEIJING, April 10 -- China and the United States agreed to seek stronger cooperation on anti-terror, cybersecurity and China's hunt for corrupt officials.

The agreement came out of talks between Chinese public security chief Guo Shengkun and his U.S. counterpart Jeh Johnson on Thursday.

It was part of the first ministerial meeting between the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and the U.S. Homeland Security Department.

Guo called for the two departments to establish communications at all levels, enhance trust in law enforcement, manage differences and take care of each other's major concerns.

"We will endeavor to seek new breakthroughs in fighting terrorism, hunting for those corrupt officials who have fled to the United States and recover their ill-gotten booties, cracking down on cyber crimes and other key areas," Guo said.

The talks defined six areas for future cooperation, covering counterterrorism, the hunt for those who fled to the U.S. and recovery of illegal gains, protection of intellectually property rights, maritime law enforcement, cybersecurity and more exchanges between the law enforcement departments, according to a statement issued after the talks.

Guo will visit the United States within the year as the guest of Johnson, the statement said.