He’s the first Chinese official to be elected to the position.
ADVERTISEMENTHe’s the first Chinese official to be elected to the position. Beijing’s Vice President for Public Security is the new president of Interpol.
Meng Hongwei was voted in for a four-year term at the International Criminal Police Organisation’s General Assembly in Bali.
“We warmly congratulate Vice Public Security Minister Mr. Meng Hongwei,” said Lu Kang, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.
“We attach high importance to the important role Interpol plays in international law enforcement cooperation and would like to promote global law enforcement security. In this field, China is willing to take more responsibility and make a bigger contribution.”
Meng takes over from Mireille Ballestrazzi from France.
His appointment could help facilitate China’s high-profile efforts to track down fugitive officials who’ve fled the country.
Western countries have been reluctant to help amid concerns over mistreatment of suspects.