Anti-graft gathering: ICAC Commissioner Timothy Tong meets Deputy Minister of Supervision Qu Wanxiang in Beijing.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption and its Mainland counterparts will jointly publish a graft-prevention guide for small and medium enterprises engaged in cross-boundary business.

Leading a delegation on his first official visit to the Mainland today, ICAC Commissioner Timothy Tong said in Beijing the commission and its Mainland counterparts will strengthen co-operation.

The delegation visited the State Council's Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministries of Supervision, Public Security and Foreign Affairs.

Mr Tong met with Deputy Minister of Supervision and Deputy Head of the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention Qu Wanxiang. He also met Supreme People's Procuratorate Procurator General Jia Chunwang.

Under the Mutual Case Assistance Scheme established in 1988, the ICAC and Mainland authorities have helped each other interview voluntary witnesses in corruption investigations. Noting the scheme has become an important mechanism for effective co-operation in combating cross-boundary corruption, Mr Tong said the ICAC has interviewed over 530 witnesses on the Mainland, leading to the successful investigation of many graft cases involving Mainland citizens or companies.

The delegation will depart for Suzhou tomorrow and will conclude its visit Friday.