A Decade of Repatriating Fugitives and Recovering Assets

A Decade of Repatriating Fugitives and Recovering Assets

China's relentless pursuit of corrupt officials and their illicit assets has yielded significant results over the past decade. The country's top graft watchdogs, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, announced on Thursday that over 14,000 fugitives have been repatriated from more than 120 countries and regions since 2015.

This success is largely attributed to the "Sky Net" campaign, launched in March 2015. The campaign aims to track down fugitives, recover illegal assets, and combat cross-border corruption. It is led by the office for fugitive repatriation and asset recovery under the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group.

Among the repatriated fugitives, 2,999 were members of the Communist Party of China and government officials. By the end of 2022, authorities had recovered 66.62 billion yuan ($9.3 billion) in illicit assets. Notably, 62 of the 100 most-wanted fugitives subject to Interpol Red Notices have been returned to China.

The Sky Net campaign has seen continued success in 2023. In June, Guo Jiefang, a former police officer and one of China's 100 most-wanted fugitives, returned after 23 years on the run. She was the first fugitive on the list to surrender since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2022. In November, Xu Haipeng, a former general manager who had fled less than three months earlier, also turned himself in overseas and was repatriated.

This year's Sky Net campaign, launched on Monday, emphasizes maintaining pressure on corrupt officials abroad and deepening international cooperation. The National Commission of Supervision will lead efforts to recover illicit assets tied to duty-related crimes, while the People's Bank of China and the Ministry of Public Security will focus on cracking down on illicit fund transfers through offshore companies or underground banking networks.

China has also expanded its legal framework for extradition and asset recovery. The country has signed 178 treaties with 83 countries, covering extradition, judicial assistance, and asset return and sharing. Additionally, China has signed financial intelligence-sharing agreements with 63 countries and regions.

The ongoing Sky Net campaign demonstrates China's unwavering commitment to combating corruption and recovering stolen assets. The country's efforts to strengthen cross-border anti-corruption efforts and enhance mechanisms for fugitive repatriation and asset recovery will undoubtedly contribute to a more just and equitable society.