On August 3-4, 2024, the 11th International Forum on Contemporary Criminal Law - "International Academic Seminar on Combating Financing of Terrorism and Promoting Counter-Terrorism Cooperation" was successfully held in Beijing. This academic seminar was co-organized by the Law School (College for Criminal Law Science) of Beijing Normal University, the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law and the Criminal Law Science Research Center of Renmin University of China in cooperation with the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council, hosted by the Counter-Terrorism Rule of Law Research Center of the College for Criminal Law Science of Beijing Normal University, and co-organized by Beijing Wangzhi Law Firm.

The seminar was conducted in a hybrid online and offline format, attracting over 80 experts and scholars from both domestic and international spheres, including representatives from esteemed organizations such as the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Tokyo District Prosecutors' Office in Japan, the Korean Institute of Criminal Justice Policy (KICJP), Peking University, Renmin University of China, the University of Sydney in Australia, and the National University of Public Service in Hungary. Participants engaged in discussions on a range of topics including "Counteracting Financing of Terrorism and Virtual Assets," "Public-Private Partnerships in Combating Financing of Terrorism," "Corporate Compliance in the Fight Against Financing of Terrorism," "Tackling Financing of Terrorism and Corruption Crimes," "Current Trends and Challenges in Advancing International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation," "Fostering International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and the Construction of Foreign-Related Rule of Law," and "Enhancing International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Domestic Rule of Law Development."

Opening Ceremony

The ceremony was presided over by Zhou Zhenjie, a professor and the director of the Center for Counter-Terrorism Rule of Law Research at the Law School of Beijing Normal University. In her address, Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate of the Security Council, expressed the United Nations Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate's delight in supporting this seminar. Reflecting on the United Nations' two-decade campaign against Financing of Terrorism, she proffered recommendations for future endeavors. Professor Liang Yingxiu, Dean of the Law School of Beijing Normal University, encapsulated the theoretical, practical, open, and international nature of the International Forum on Contemporary Criminal Law in his speech, affirming the forum's commitment to maintaining its founding spirit, offering a platform for forthright dialogue among criminal law scholars worldwide, and bolstering international exchanges and cooperation on criminal rule of law. Professor Li Shouping, Dean of the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, highlighted in his remarks the growing complexity of the subjects and methods of terrorist activities, emphasizing the need for international legal and technical cooperation to sever the lifelines of terrorism. Professor Shi Yan'an, director of the Criminal Law Science Research Center at Renmin University of China, advocated for a measured approach to observing, responding, predicting, and assessing the current landscape of terrorism and counter-terrorism, while actively identifying and mitigating terrorist risks. Additionally, he stressed the international community's commitment to the principle of "win-win cooperation" in the collective struggle against terrorism.

Unit 1: Combating Financing of Terrorism and Virtual Assets

The first unit of the forum (Part 1) was hosted by Professor Mei Chuanqiang, Dean of the Law School of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, and Professor Wang Qiangjun, Vice Dean of the Law School of Nankai University, participated in the discussion. Ms. Lisa Letschert, Special Assistant to the Director of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, Professor Wang Xin at Peking University Law School, and Professor Wang Wenhua of Beijing Foreign Studies University Law School delivered speeches on the topics of "Difficulties and Disputed Issues in Countering Financing of Terrorism", "Anti-Money Laundering Legal Regulation", and "Research on Counter-Financing of Terrorism Issues of Non-Bank Payment Institutions and Specific Non-Financial Institutions" respectively. They discussed the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Assessment Report, emphasized the challenges of counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering brought by new technologies such as cryptocurrencies and the need to strengthen information exchange, introduced China's legislative progress and achievements in related fields, and analyzed the connection between counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering.

The first unit of the forum (Part 2) was moderated by Assistant Professor Sun Benxiong at the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, featuring the contributions of Assistant Professors Zheng Yang and Fu Xiaoya from the same institution. Lecturer Xu Chaoyu from the China People's Public Security University, Lecturer Peng Kun and Lecturer Li Beibei of the Xinjiang University Law School, Li Xiao, a doctoral candidate at Hamburg University Law School, Sun Yuanjun, a doctoral candidate at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Law School, Zheng Youzhen, Yan Ge, and Zou Kao, doctoral candidates from the Beijing Normal University Law School, each presented keynote addresses. Their speeches covered a range of perspectives including national security, regional cooperation, cross-border electronic evidence gathering, and the development of maritime power. They engaged in profound discussions on the themes of combating Financing of Terrorism and enhancing international collaboration.

Unit 2: Combating Financing of Terrorism and Public-Private Partnership

The second unit of the forum (Part 1) was led by Professor Zeng Yuexing from the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, with Associate Professor Wang Peng from the School of Criminal Law at Northwest University of Political Science and Law among the participants. Ms. Sofia Ramirez, a legal expert with the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, Professor Shu Hongshui, Dean of the Institute of Human Rights at Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Professor Pei Wei from the School of Law at Beihang University, and Professor Zhao Jun from the School of Law at Beijing Normal University each delivered insightful keynote addresses. Their presentations focused on themes such as "Combating the Financing of Terrorism through Public-Private Partnerships," "Addressing Cyberterrorism on the Dark Web: Manifestations and Countermeasures," "Public-Private Collaboration in the Fight against Data Crimes," and "Institutional Assistance and Legal Education Pathways." They delved into discussions on assessing the risks of Financing of Terrorism, strategies to intercept financial channels for terrorism, and the guidance for private sector involvement. Emphasizing the protection of human rights and the security of society, they advocated for leveraging local strengths in alignment with international governance principles.

The second unit of the forum (Part 2) was moderated by Professor Zhou Zhenjie of the Law School at Beijing Normal University. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate of the Security Council, imparted her insights through a compelling speech. The forum was further enriched by the participation of Professor Shi Yan’an, Director of the Criminal Law Science Research Center at Renmin University of China, and Professor Li Shouping, Dean of the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, who contributed to the discussions. Centered on the theme of "Counter-terrorism and Technology," the session featured a series of engaging presentations and dialogues. Associate Professor Chen Ran from the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, Lecturer Peng Yali from the Law School of Renmin University of China, Assistant Professor Yang Nan of the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, Postdoctoral Fellow Zhu Jinyang from the Law School of Tsinghua University, Lecturer Wang Yijue from the Law School of Beijing Jiaotong University, PhD candidates Zeng Juzhong and Zhang Wanhong from the Law School of Beijing Normal University, and PhD candidate Han Jinni from the Law School of Renmin University of China, all shared their perspectives on critical issues such as information sharing, virtual assets, and cryptocurrencies.

Unit 3: Combating Financing of Terrorism and Corporate Compliance

The third unit of the forum was hosted by Zhang Xiaoming, visiting professor of the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, with the participation of Professor Zhou Zhenjie from the Law School of Beijing Normal University. Professor Szabolcs Matyas from the Hungarian Police University, Researcher Park Hak-mo, Standing Committee Member of the Korean Institute of Criminal Justice Policy, Professor Wang Jianbo from the School of Law of Capital University of Economics and Business, Professor Li Xiaoming from the Wang Jian School of Law of Soochow University, and Li Jingbei, a doctoral student from the School of Law of the University of Debrecen, respectively delivered speeches on the topics of "Terrorism and Spatial Patterns: The Importance of Criminal Geography in Prevention", "Preventing Financing of Terrorism and Corporate Compliance", "International Rules on the Criminalization of Financing of Terrorism and my country's Compliance Response", "Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Financing of Terrorism Compliance Evaluation Index System", and "Compliance Thinking on the Fight against Financing of Terrorism by Specific Non-Financial Institutions". They emphasized the spatial characteristics of terrorist activities and the role of criminal geography in crime prevention, introduced the construction of South Korea's anti-terrorism compliance system, and the construction and recommendations of my country's anti-Financing of Terrorism compliance system for specific non-financial institutions.

Unit 4: Combating Financing of Terrorism and Corruption Crimes

The fourth unit was hosted by Professor Zhang Lei from the Law School of Beijing Normal University, with the presence of Associate Professor Li Heng from the School of National Security of Southwest University of Political Science and Law. Associate Professor Jeanne Huang from the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney, Australia, Professor Zoran Pavlovic from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, Professor Shi Yan'an from the School of Law at Renmin University of China, and Deputy Director Wu Ruishan from the Third Procuratorial Department of the Second Branch of the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate delivered speeches on the topics of "Transferring Money through Underground Banks from China to Australia", "Effectiveness of the Prevention System of Money Laundering", "Artificial Intelligence and Counter-terrorism", and "Self-laundering of Corruption and Bribery Crimes", respectively. The panel elucidated the criticality of harmonizing anti-money laundering statutes between China and Australia, proffered insights into Serbia's criminal justice challenges in addressing terrorist offenses, engaged in a discourse on the deployment of artificial intelligence in terrorism and the strategies for its mitigation, and conducted a thorough analysis of the dilemmas encountered in the judicial application of self-laundering within the context of corruption and bribery cases.

Unit 5: Current Practices and Issues in Promoting International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism

The fifth unit was hosted by Professor Wang Wenhua from the Law School of Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Associate Professor Jiao Yang from the International Law Department of China Foreign Affairs University participated in the discussion. Professor Mitchel Philip Roth from the College of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Sam Houston State University, Machiko Watanabe, a prosecutor at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office in Japan, and Visiting Professor Zhang Xiaoming from the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law gave speeches on the topics of "Policing the Organized Crime and Terrorism Nexus: An International Overview", "Counter Terrorism Policy in Japan", and "Current Practices and Issues in Promoting International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism", respectively. The experts delved into the parameters of law enforcement in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, shedding light on Japan's strategies for counter-terrorism and its legislative advancements. They underscored the pivotal role of international law enforcement and judicial collaboration in tackling cross-border terrorist activities, and championed the necessity of reinforcing the convergence between criminal law and international legal frameworks.

Unit 6: Promoting International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism and Construction of Rule of Law Involving Foreign Countries

The sixth unit was hosted by Professor Zhang Shuguang, Dean of the Law School of Xinjiang University, and attended by Zhang Yi, Deputy Director of the Central Asian Crime Governance and Judicial Assistance Research Center of Northwest University of Political Science and Law, and Associate Professor Duan Yangwei of the School of National Security of Northwest University of Political Science and Law. Professor Morena Gallo from the Law School of the University of Calabria, Italy, Professor Antonio del Sole from the Law School of the University of Parma, Italy, Deputy Director Wang Jiwei of the International Organizations and International Treaties Division of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, Professor Peng Haiqing from the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, and Professor Yoon Ji-young from the Korea Institute of Criminal Law Policy spoke on topics such as "The Crimes of a "Political" Massacre and "Common" Massacre in Italy", "Tasks and Competence of the European Public Prosecutor's Office; Mission and Goals of the New Anti-Money", "The role and focus of the procuratorial organs in promoting international cooperation in counter-terrorism and foreign-related rule of law construction", "International collaborative governance of terrorism in the era of artificial intelligence", and "International cooperation in cybersecurity and South Korea's national cybersecurity strategy". They conducted a thorough examination of the crime of genocide within the context of Italian criminal legislation, delved into the objectives and responsibilities inherent in anti-money laundering efforts, outlined the roles and functions of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, anticipated future counterterrorism strategies in the age of artificial intelligence, and engaged in a discourse on South Korea's national cybersecurity framework.

Unit 7: Promoting International Anti-Terrorism Cooperation and Construction of Rule of Law in China

The seventh unit of the forum was ably led by Professor Niu Zhongzhi of the Law School at Hebei University, featuring the expertise of Associate Professor Guo Shijie from the Law School of University of International Relations and Prosecutor Ye Zixiang from the Jing'an District Procuratorate in Shanghai. Esteemed speakers including Ms. Pretty Seeborth, a legal expert with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Professor Mei Chuanqiang, Dean of the Law School at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Professor Zhang Shuguang, Dean of the Law School at Xinjiang University, Director Du Miao of the Fourth Procuratorial Department of the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate, and Lv Jianghong, a First-Class Police Inspector from Shaanxi Police College, presented their insights on topics such as " Role of Commercial Banks in Countering Financing of Terrorism, Especially in Anti-Money Laundering," "Preventive Criminal Law Regulation of Terrorism Financing Behavior," "Advancing International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Domestic Rule of Law Construction," "Challenges in Enforcement Coordination against Terrorism Financing," and "Research on the Legal Framework for Combating Terrorism Financing." Their discussions underscored the pivotal role of commercial banks in the fight against terrorism financing and money laundering, the significance of public-private collaboration, the utility of preventive criminal law in thwarting terrorism financing, and an in-depth examination of the coordination between criminal and executive measures in the practical application of combating terrorism financing in the judicial realm.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony was presided over by Yu Wenxi, Director of Beijing Wangzhi Law Firm. Professor Zhou Zhenjie, Director of the Anti-Terrorism Law Research Center at the College for Criminal Law Science of Beijing Normal University, delivered a poignant speech. Professor Zhou extend his heartfelt appreciation to all attendees on behalf of the organizing and co-organizing committees. He affirmed that the International Forum on Contemporary Criminal Law remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as a platform for dialogue among criminal law experts from around the globe, and to contributing academically to the advancement of international criminal rule of law.

Typesetting: Wu Hua

Editor-in-charge: Shi Tianyu