Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro in SHENYANG, China
A STRONG call for greater international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, cybercrime and organised crime was made in Shenyang this week.
This comes as China reaffirmed its commitment to working with countries around the world to address increasingly complex security threats through partnership, mutual respect and knowledge-sharing.
Addressing a 24-member Zimbabwean delegation undergoing specialised security training at the Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Professor Xuefei Cao said the changing nature of global security challenges requires countries to work together rather than act in isolation.
“Terrorism remains the common enemy of all humanity. It threatens international peace, undermines development and endangers the lives of innocent people across the world,” Prof Xuefei said.
“No nation, regardless of its strength or experience, can confront this challenge alone. Our greatest weapon is cooperation.
“When countries stand together, share knowledge, respect one another and coordinate their efforts, we become far stronger than those who seek to spread fear and violence.”
Prof Xuefei, who is vice dean of the Criminal Investigation and Policing Department at CIPUC, said China remained committed to promoting international cooperation as part of its vision of building a global community with a shared future.
He noted that terrorism, cybercrime and organised criminal networks have become increasingly interconnected and transnational, making coordinated responses essential.
According to Prof Xuefei, China has consistently pursued a law-based approach to counterterrorism that balances national security with the protection of citizens’ legitimate rights and interests.
“China’s experience has shown that effective counterterrorism must be rooted in the rule of law,” he said.
“Our legal framework safeguards national security, protects people’s lives and property, guarantees fairness in judicial processes and contributes to regional and global stability.
“Security and the rule of law are not opposing goals, they strengthen each other.”
He said every nation has unique historical, social and legal circumstances that shape its security policies and approaches to combating crime and terrorism.
Prof Xuefei stressed that international cooperation should be built on equality, mutual respect and shared responsibility.
“Every nation has valuable experience to contribute,” he said.
“As long as countries uphold the principles of the United Nations and pursue lawful measures suited to their own national conditions, every successful effort enriches the global fight against terrorism. We should learn from one another rather than compete with one another.”
His remarks resonated with the Zimbabwean delegation, which is spending two weeks in China sharpening skills in modern policing, criminal investigations and security management under a cooperation programme jointly implemented by the two countries.
The intensive programme exposes participants to advanced training in criminal intelligence gathering, cybercrime investigations, counterterrorism operations, electronic data forensics, narcotics control, explosive residue analysis and other emerging security disciplines.
Participants have also completed sessions covering fingerprint visualisation and analysis, security management for large-scale public events and China’s judicial system.
For Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Commissioner Alvord Gapare, the programme represents far more than technical instruction.
He described it as an opportunity to strengthen institutions, improve professionalism and deepen cooperation across Zimbabwe’s justice and security sectors.
“As correctional officers, we carry an important responsibility to maintain security while upholding justice, fairness and respect for human dignity,” Comm Gapare said.
“This training is broadening our professional knowledge and exposing us to modern approaches that will help us improve correctional management, strengthen institutional security and enhance service delivery when we return home.”
Comm Gapare welcomed the inclusion of officers from different security institutions in the same programme, saying it reflected the growing importance of integrated responses to modern crime and security challenges.
“Today’s security challenges are interconnected,” he said.
“By learning alongside colleagues from policing, investigations and other public security institutions, we gain a much better appreciation of how every part of the criminal justice system contributes to public safety. That understanding strengthens coordination and ultimately benefits our country.”
He said the knowledge and experience gained during the programme would contribute significantly to Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to modernise its security institutions and improve service delivery.
“The lessons we are taking home extend beyond technical skills. They include new ways of thinking, stronger professional networks and a renewed appreciation of cooperation. These experiences will help us serve our communities more effectively.”
The training programme reflects the steadily expanding strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and China.
