Beijing will recruit anti-graft experts

China plans to recruit dozens of experts and professionals who specialize in anti-graft studies from G20 member countries to help curb cross-border corruption, according to a Beijing-based G20 research center.

"We'll invite them as visiting scholars to work in the center for several months conducting joint research on transnational corruption crime, including how to hunt down fugitives and confiscate illicit assets," said Huang Feng, director of the Research Center on Cooperat ion Regarding Persons Sought for Corruption and Asset Recovery in G20 Member States. He spoke to China Daily on Wednesday.

Huang said Chinese and foreign experts will "share academic achievements and compare domestic and foreign laws and legal procedures for confiscation of illegal assets, extradition and judicial assistance, as well as analyzing some typical cases" to help solve practical problems.

The center, based at Beijing Normal University, was set up in September as one of the achievements of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou.

In Hangzhou, G20 members agreed to back the anti-corruption campaign and refuse safe haven for corrupt officials. They also passed the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2017-18.

Huang said that the center has set up a database, including 30 Chinese experts from judicial authorities and universities and 30 foreign experts from over 10 countries, including the United States and Australia. They will provide intelligence support in the hunt for fugitives and funds confiscation.

The center has drafted a research report on developments in cross-border commercial bribery cases, which was provided to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China's top graft buster, and other officials, Huang said. It also provided a research report on Chinese immigration and oversight loopholes, which should help anti-draft officers deter suspects from fleeing and sending funds abroad.

A number of Chinese corrupt fugitives have fled overseas, particularly to developed countries such as the US, Canada and Australia, to avoid justice due to a lack of extradition treaties and differences in laws. Many sent millions of yuan in illegal funds to foreign accounts through money laundering and underground banks.

Since 2014, China has used its Skynet program to target the fugitives. More than 2,800 economic fugitives have returned to face trial from over 70 countries and regions.

zhangyan1@chinadaily.com.cn