Crackdown on economic crimes to be intensified

More than 5,000 Chinese individuals suspected of committing various economic offenses have been escorted back to China from over 100 countries and regions since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2017, the Ministry of Public Security said on Monday.

Public security authorities, in collaboration with the CPC Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission, have also apprehended 14 individuals against whom Interpol Red Notices were issued during this period of time, the ministry said.

Furthermore, public security authorities nationwide have successfully resolved approximately 467,000 economic crime cases since October 2017, preventing a direct loss of around 280 billion yuan ($39.24 billion).

Several fugitives on the Interpol Red Notice list have been brought back to China this year.

In December, Chang Gaocai, 66, former head of Shanxi provincial quality and technical supervision bureau, turned himself in. Chang, who is suspected of duty-related crimes, fled the country four years ago. In April 2022, Interpol issued a Red Notice for his arrest, forcing him to surrender this year.

Zhou Quan, 63, former liaison office director of an ocean shipping company in Dalian, Liaoning province, returned to China in August, after being on the run for eight years. Zhou is suspected of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds. In May 2016, Interpol issued a Red Notice for his arrest.

The Ministry of Public Security is responsible for carrying out a special operation, codenamed "Fox Hunt", to reel in suspects of economic offenses who flee the country.

The operation is part of a larger mechanism called "Sky Net", which was launched in 2015 by the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group, and targets fugitives and recovers stolen assets.

Last year, under "Fox Hunt", China's public security organs escorted more than 700 people suspected of various economic offenses back to China.

Meanwhile, a symposium on the methods of economic crime investigation was held in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Friday.

During the symposium, the ministry emphasized the importance of continuous innovation in working mechanisms and the utilization of data to enhance professional capabilities in combating economic crimes.

Strengthened efforts will be made to crack down on crimes involving money laundering and counterfeit currency, cards and invoices, as well as crimes related to tax, securities and finance, the ministry said.

The economic crime investigation departments have been urged to adopt pragmatic measures, proactively address people's concerns, ensure public safety and mobilize public efforts to contribute to the high-quality development of the economy and society.

Highlighting the need to enhance public credibility of the economic crime investigation departments, the ministry emphasized upholding a strong law-based governance mindset, improving the building of a law enforcement system, and standardizing law enforcement behavior and supervision.

It also called for efforts to enhance the disciplinary conduct and capabilities of economic crime investigation teams.