China's anti-graft campaign is now targeting officials who have sent their spouses and children abroad, where they can create channels to potentially funnel illicit gains and establish footholds for eventual escape from the mainland.
Nearly 900, mostly mid-level, government officials in the southern province of Guangdong have been demoted or forced to resign or retire early after being identified as having spouses or offspring with permanent residency or citizenship abroad while they themselves stay on the mainland.
It is the first time a provincial government has taken action against so-called "naked officials." The move signals a new approach in President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign taking aim at a phenomenon in Chinese politics that has hindered the Communist Party's efforts to curb the flight of crooked officials and their ill-gotten assets.
