China launches fugitive-hunting campaign in 2022

BEIJING -- China has launched its manhunt operation in 2022 to capture corrupt officials who fled overseas and to recover their illicit assets, according to the central anti-corruption coordination group.

The campaign, codenamed "Sky Net 2022," was studied, planned, and made public at a recent meeting held by the office in charge of fugitive repatriation and asset recovery under the central anti-corruption coordination group.

According to the office, the campaign will be carried out under coordinated efforts by several authorities, with the National Supervisory Commission in charge of duty-related crimes, and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) initiating targeted operations for hunting fugitive officials that fled overseas.

In addition, the People's Bank of China and the MPS will work together to prevent and crack down on illicit money transfers through off-shore entities and underground banks. The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate will jointly launch campaigns for criminal proceed returns involving cases where the criminal suspect or defendant escapes or is dead.

The Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the MPS, and other related departments will strengthen coordination in the management of illegal obtaining and possession of licenses, it added.

In 2021, a total of 1,273 fugitives were returned to China and over 16.74 billion yuan (about $2.66 billion) of illicit funds were recovered.