Republic of China Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan visited Washington, D.C. July 9-13 to discuss bilateral cooperation in law enforcement with U.S. officials.
During his visit, Minster Chen met with his counterpart, Attorney General John Ashcroft, and ranking officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other relevant organizations in the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury to discuss ways to cooperate in fighting drug trafficking, commercial piracy, global terrorism, and other crimes. He also met with Rep. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (R-MI), the ranking member of the same committee.
Minister Chen's visit follows to the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Taiwan and the United States on March 26, 2002. This agreement, the first one of a judicial nature signed between the two countries, lays a legal foundation for bilateral cooperation in criminal investigation matters, such as taking testimony, exchanging documents, locating and identifying witnesses and suspects, and providing any other form of assistance not contrary to the laws of the territory of the requested party.
Minister Chen's U.S. trip also included stops in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, where he observed local community service programs for criminals and private prisons in those cities.
In addition, Minister Chen visited Harvard University and Yale University. Beginning next year, two prosecutors from Taiwan will be sent to each of the two universities every year for advanced training and study.
