China, France bust illegal immigration network

PARIS - China and France have busted a network which transported illegal Chinese immigrants to Europe, officials said.

The French immigration ministry said Thursday several members of the network headed by a Chinese national living in Paris and a number of illegal immigrants were arrested July 27 during simultaneous operations in France and China, Xinhua reported.

Investigations showed that each illegal migrant paid between 12,000-15,000 euros ($15,000-18,000) to book a ticket to Europe.

France hailed the police efforts of both nations and called for stronger ties with China to crack down on human trafficking.

“I congratulated the teams for dismantling an important network of illegal immigration from China, to Italy, Spain and Luxembourg, whose principal organisers were based in Paris and Shanghai,” said Eric Besson, minister of immigration.