Beijing, Dec 5 (IANS/EFE) A total of 428 people, who fled China to other countries to escape prosecution on corruption charges, have been arrested in "Operation Fox Hunt", the Chinese ministry of public security said Friday.
"Operation Fox Hunt" was launched in July, in close collaboration with other nations.
Fugitives were located and arrested in 60 different countries, according to the report.
Western Europe, the South Pacific and Africa expressed willingness to collaborate with China in the anti-corruption crackdown.
"Fox Hunt" began as part of the campaign against corruption initiated in 2013 by President Xi Jinping's government. The authorities gave the fugitives a Dec 1 deadline to hand themselves in.
"As long as there is one still at large, the hunt will never end," said Public Security Vice Minister Liu Jinguo, adding that the pursuit of criminals fleeing abroad is a gesture that clearly shows China's commitment to the fight against corruption within and outside the country.
Earlier this year, the Chinese Communist regime had launched similar campaigns including one that focused on investigating the country's senior officials whose spouse and children live abroad.
Beijing suspects that these officials use their families residing in other countries for the misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.
--IANS/EFE
bb/vd
