No safe haven for the corrupt

Seeking asylum overseas with the wealth they have illicitly accumulated will likely not be so easy for corrupt officials in the near future.

The regional anti-graft network endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members last week in the Chinese capital and the agreement reached by the leaders at the G20 Summit in Australia to launch a similar network will undoubtedly shatter the dream that quite a number of corrupt Chinese officials cherish that they will always be able to find a safe haven overseas, in Western countries in particular.

Fleeing overseas, especially to the United States or Canada, has long been the ultimate goal of corrupt officials hoping to escape punishment and spend the rest of their lives enjoying their ill-gotten gains. The phenomenon of so-called naked officials who stay behind alone while their families live overseas has become so prominent that specific measures have been adopted by the government to curb the practice.

It is no exaggeration to conclude that the knowledge there are safe havens to run to is a contributing factor behind some officials' rampant rent-seeking.

Therefore, there is no hiding from the fact that no matter how severe the crackdown on corruption is at home, those corrupt elements who still harbor hopes they will find a welcoming sanctuary overseas with their booty will not stop abusing their power for personal gain unless entry to these safe havens is denied to them.

That explains why the country's Ministry of Public Security launched its Fox Hunt 2014 in July to chase corrupt elements overseas. It has so far succeeded in snaring 288 suspected corrupt elements living overseas.

With the concerted efforts of the APEC and G20 members, there is reason to believe it will not be very long before the traditional escape routes will no longer be available to those who steal public wealth. Such a firewall against corruption will eventually promote clean governance and fair business operations in all economies.

Of course, the APEC declaration and G20 agreement are not legally binding documents. More work still needs to be done to sign specific treaties with countries such as the US and Canada.

Nonetheless, the days are clearly numbered for the dream of a safe haven for the corrupt.