China has publicly released a 100-name strong list of corrupt officials who have fled the country as part of the Skynet initiative. The list includes 7 Jiangsu officials.
Details publicised by the government span name, ID number and last known employer of the offenders, stepping up the “manhunt” game for corrupt government individuals currently residing abroad. The 100 officials to be named and shamed fled the country between 1996 and 2014 in relation to corrupt activities and are currently residing in a multitude of countries spanning the globe, from Thailand to Australia and New Zealand or the Americas. In a majority of cases the charge is bribery and embezzlement, as well as involvement in money laundering schemes and underground banks, which enabled them to accumulate substantial overseas assets.
In a rare example of successful political cooperation, the US agreed to work with China in order to locate the perpetrators and conduct independent investigations. On 11th April, Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security, made a statement during a state visit to China that the US would work with local law enforcement to streamline the process of repatriating corrupt officials. As part of the joint effort, the US Customs and Immigration Enforcement Bureau and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security will join their efforts to verify the identity of Chinese citizens applying for travel documents.
A priority list of fugitives located in the US has already been released to the American government, and the US State Department put in a request for evidence and intelligence with regards to the suspects to be provided in order to ensure US law enforcement could investigate and prosecute the alleged corrupt lawbreakers. No further refuge shall be provided for fugitive officials.
On a more local scale, China’s provinces and region have been coordinating their efforts in capturing the escapees this month, including undergoing specialized training from the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, according to a report by China Daily. The efforts entail the publication of clear regulations concerning the responsibilities of local judicial authorities, the development of detailed action plans when retaining fugitives and confiscation of stolen assets. Furthermore, a central database has been set up to better coordinate the government’s anti-graft efforts.
The People’s Bank is also part of the team heading the fight against overseas corruption, examining the use of offshore companies and underground banks to transfer stolen money overseas.
So far three offenders have successfully been brought back to the Middle Kingdom from Laos and Greece in order to stand trial. One of the fugitives was suspected of selling fraudulent investment schemes to people in Greece, amassing ¥44 million of illegal profit. The case is being used an example for successful collaboration between Europe and China and has received much praise.
This recent move is part of a larger program known as “Skynet” (天网), an effort by the Chinese government to round up and repatriate corrupt officials and bring to justice on Chinese soil. Police and state prosecutors will be responsible of finding and charging the individuals. The initiative was launched this month and falls under the large-scale war on corruption currently waged by President Xi.
Said war has already resulted in the incarceration of Nanjing’s former mayor and the arrest of Nanjing’s Party Secretary Yang Weize, plus a crackdown on “extravagance” in government, which so far has seen splendid banquets, moon cakes and golf, a sport commonly associated with making dodgy deals, being demonized by the party.
