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🇸🇬 Singapore /Crime & Justice

China reviews draft law to pursue graft suspects, assets abroad

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • China is reviewing a draft law to strengthen its ability to pursue and repatriate corrupt officials and assets abroad.
  • The proposed legislation aims to enhance international anti-corruption cooperation, building on President Xi Jinping's extensive crackdown since 2012.
  • While China has repatriated thousands of officials and recovered billions, concerns remain from some foreign groups about the methods used.

China's top lawmakers are considering a new draft law designed to bolster the nation's efforts in pursuing and repatriating corrupt officials and their illicit assets hidden overseas. This legislative move, called "strategic importance" by state media, aims to expand Beijing's legal arsenal for tackling cross-border corruption and deepening international cooperation.

President Xi Jinping has spearheaded a significant anti-graft campaign since taking power in 2012, ensnaring numerous high-ranking officials and impacting millions within the bureaucracy. Authorities assert their commitment to tracking down fugitives abroad, with official tallies indicating that over 3,000 former officials have been repatriated since 2015 under "Operation Sky Net," alongside the recovery of approximately $10 billion in illicit funds.

The National Anti-Graft Watchdog maintains a "Red Notice" list of 100 most-wanted fugitive bureaucrats, with a majority reportedly having fled to the United States and Canada. Authorities have reported bringing back 62 individuals from this list. However, some international governments and human rights organizations have voiced concerns, suggesting that certain Chinese overseas operations may involve unauthorized surveillance, harassment, and coercion, potentially bypassing established legal and extradition protocols.

prevent and punish cross-border corruption and deepen international anti-corruption cooperation

— Xinhua news agencyState-run Xinhua news agency cited the draft law's aims during an ongoing session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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