反洗钱利国又利民 持续推动打击治理洗钱违法犯罪

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of anti-money laundering (AML) efforts, highlighting the direct and indirect harms caused by money laundering to society and the economy, and the government's commitment to strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement against such crimes [2][4][9]. Group 1: Direct Harms of Money Laundering - Money laundering undermines the stability of the economic system, leading to economic distortion and disorder [4]. - It serves as a financial lifeline for other serious criminal activities, including drug trafficking, terrorism, smuggling, corruption, fraud, and tax evasion [4]. - It poses significant risks to banks and financial institutions, damaging the credibility of the financial system [3]. Group 2: Government Actions and Legal Framework - Since 2020, the Supreme People's Procuratorate has intensified AML efforts, resulting in a substantial increase in prosecutions for money laundering, with 2,971 individuals prosecuted in 2023, nearly 20 times the number in 2019 [5]. - The legal basis for convicting money laundering includes several articles from the Criminal Law, which define the elements and penalties for money laundering offenses [6]. - Recent amendments to the Criminal Law have expanded the scope of money laundering offenses, including the criminalization of "self-laundering" and the removal of certain terms that previously limited the scope of enforcement [7][8]. Group 3: Enforcement and Judicial Practices - The judiciary has implemented measures such as the "double investigation" mechanism to enhance the efficiency of handling money laundering cases [8]. - The government is committed to ensuring that no one can gain illegal benefits through criminal activities, with increased penalties and the recovery of illicit gains [8]. - The article underscores the importance of public awareness and individual responsibility in preventing money laundering, encouraging citizens to be vigilant and informed [10].