China - China’s booming economy has led to it becoming a country of destination for foreign migrants from around the world – many of whom are looking for job opportunities.

According to government statistics, the number of foreigners crossing China’s borders in 2012 reached over 54 million – almost 40 times the number in 1980.

IOM, in partnership with the government, is this week hosting a two-day capacity-building workshop  in Guangxi for some 35 Chinese immigration officials to support the implementation of China’s Exit and Entry Law (2012), which aims to both facilitate regular and prevent the irregular migration.

Co-organized by China’s Ministry of Public Security Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration, the training aims to strengthen immigration officers’ skills in detecting document fraud and identifying victims of trafficking.

  Increasing migration is bringing growing concern surrounding human trafficking, especially from the Greater Mekong Sub-Region.

A key challenge is the trafficking of women and girls from Myanmar, Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Cambodia for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced marriage.

“Detecting document fraud and identifying trafficking cases is a challenge for immigration forces around the world,” said IOM Beijing Head of Office Pär Liljert.

“The workshop will train frontline immigration and frontier inspection officials from around China on how to better detect counterfeit documents and imposters. It will also focus on the need to proactively identify vulnerable migrants and potential victims of trafficking,” he added.

For more information, please contact

Ellen Wong 
IOM’s Liaison Office in China
Email: ewong@iom.int