China asks for help in returning suspects

China called on the international community on Wednesday to help its ongoing efforts to seize suspected corrupt officials who flee overseas and recover their illicit gains.

The appeal came as the country has launched a new round of the "Sky Net" anti-corruption campaign this year.

China is willing to work more closely with other countries in fields such as information sharing, technology, law enforcement and training to fight graft, Meng Jianzhu, the country's top law enforcement official, said at an international meeting in Tianjin.

"Corruption is a cancer worldwide. To eradicate corruption is the joint mission of all countries and anti-graft agencies," he said at the opening of the Ninth Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.

Meng said that thanks to global efforts, more than 1,000 corrupt officials and economic fugitives were brought back to China from overseas last year.

China has deployed a massive crackdown against corruption since the current leadership took office in November 2012.

As part of the crackdown, China launched the Sky Net campaign early last year to bring back suspected corrupt officials hiding abroad and confiscate their ill-gotten assets. A new round was launched last month for 2016.

Anti-graft professionals from more than 70 countries and regions, including China, France, Russia and South Korea, are taking part in the two-day conference.

The association, established in 2006, is the first anti-graft nongovernmental organization initiated by China.

In another effort to strengthen cooperation, a Chinese delegation has arrived in London to attend the Anti-Corruption Summit, scheduled for Thursday, which is aimed at stepping up global action to expose, punish and eradicate graft.

The one-day summit, hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron, will attempt to deal with issues including corporate secrecy, government transparency, enforcement of international anti-corruption laws, and strengthening international institutions, according to organizers.

"Emerging economies such as China and India have a great role to play in combating global corruption by ensuring that their public officials and businesses act with integrity. It is gratifying to see that the leaderships in these countries are committed to fighting corruption and money laundering," said Indira Carr, a professor of law at the University of Surrey.

Contact the writers at caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/12/2016 page1)