On March 2, 2010, Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hailong held working-level talks with visiting Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) William Lacy Swing.

Wu said that migration has played an active role in promoting national economic and social development and international cultural exchange. The scale and scope of global migration is bigger than ever before and the migration flows have experienced some new changes. Because of international political and economic situations, migrants are facing new challenges in their living environment. At the same time, climate change and natural disasters also exert impacts on them. The international community should strengthen cooperation to promote the legal and orderly flow of migration, protect the legitimate rights and interests of migrants, fight against racism and xenophobia and curb illegal migration with the maximum efforts. He also exchanged views with Swing on the specific issues of concern of the IOM.

Swing noted that the current global migration has reached 214 million, accounting for 3% of the global population. The IOM is willing to help developing countries to strengthen capacity building of migration management and promote the dialogue and cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination.

The two sides agreed to further enhance friendly cooperation and exchanged opinions on relevant issues.