Kövesi signs cooperation agreement between European Public Prosecutor’s Office and China

Laura Kövesi, chief prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Ying Yong, chief prosecutor of China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate, have signed a working agreement setting out practical methods for judicial cooperation between the two authorities.

The EPPO said the agreement aims to strengthen the fight against organized crime affecting the European Union’s financial interests, money laundering and corruption. It also seeks to make the recovery of assets obtained through illegal activities more effective.

The commitment is reinforced by an action plan covering 2026 to 2028. The plan is intended to help develop effective cooperation practices in these areas.

The EPPO is an independent European Union prosecution office responsible for protecting the EU budget and bringing cases against people suspected of crimes against the Union’s financial interests. Its investigations include cross-border VAT fraud, fraud involving EU spending and funds, corruption, misappropriation of European funds, money laundering and crimes linked to organized criminal groups pursuing such activities.

The office has a central level and a decentralized structure of European delegated prosecutors in 24 participating member states. They investigate cases with national authorities under the supervision of EPPO’s permanent chambers. Once investigations conclude, national courts hear the cases.