China asks UK for help in extraditing corrupt officials

An economic fraud suspect (right) is returned to Beijing under police escort on March 24 after 10 years on the run in Italy, marking the first extradition of its kind to China from a European country, according to the Ministry of Public Security. The suspect, who worked at a securities company in Hebei province, is suspected of stealing more than 1.4 million yuan ($223,700) from clients between January 2000 and January 2005. [Photo/Xinhua]

According to a BBC report, an anonymous official authority said the Chinese government had already asked the UK to offer help repatriating approximately 50 corrupt officials.

And earlier reports revealed that China had provided US authorities "a priority list of alleged Chinese corrupt officials" believed to be at large in the United States to request their assistance.

Last week China announced that it will launch a campaign code named "Sky Net" to nab economic fugitives from April as a follow-up to the "Fox Hunt" campaign, which had brought back a total of 680 fugitives from July to the end of last year.

Currently, China has not signed an extradition treaty with either Britain or America regarding this matter. However, the Chinese government has already held a consultation with its counterparts, hoping to reach a cooperative agreement.