Recording: The Growth of Chinese Money Laundering Organisations

Within a relatively short period of time, Chinese money laundering organisations (CMLOs) have become one of the pre-eminent global money laundering threats. Using centuries-old techniques, modern-day CMLOs have evolved into multi-billion-dollar operations, providing quick, cheap and efficient money-laundering services to transnational organised crime groups, including those based in Northern America and Europe. 

In a new research paper funded by the Serious Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Evidence (SOC ACE) Research Programme, Kathryn Westmore, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Finance and Security, explores why, and how, CMLOs have become so successful and whether the threat they pose should be considered a 'state threat'. The paper seeks to understand whether there is any evidence to suggest that CMLOs operating in the West are doing so at the direction or encouragement of the Chinese state in order to inform strategic, policy and operational responses.  

The event included headline findings from the research, followed by an expert panel discussion that will consider the implications of the research and potential responses to the threat of CMLOs.

Download the Research Paper
Download the Briefing Note
SOC ACE project: Exploring the threat of Chinese professional money laundering

The SOC ACE Research Programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK Government’s official policies.

• Kathryn Westmore, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Finance and Security .
• Adrian Searle, Senior Associate Fellow, RUSI and former Director of the National Economic Crime Centre.
• Phil Brickell MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Corruption and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee 

This event will be moderated by Tom Keatinge, Director, Centre for Finance and Security.