China says it appreciates U.S. repatriation of fugitive wanted for corruption

World Today

Policemen escort repatriated Yang Jinjun n Fuzhou, the capital of southeast China’s Fujian Province, Sept. 18, 2015. (Xinhua/Yin Gang)

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday said that the repatriation of Yang Jinjun, one of China’s most wanted economic fugitives, showed progress in China-U.S. anti-graft cooperation.

Yang, who fled to the U.S. in 2001, was the general manager of the Minghe Group in the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou, according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). He was wanted by China on suspicion of corruption and bribery. He is the first of the 100 people on the “red notice” to be repatriated to China from the United Stateas since China’s anti-graft “Sky Net” operation was launched in April.

“China appreciates the U.S. cooperation in this [investigation],” spokesperson Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing.

The Sky Net operation named 100 Chinese citizens currently hiding abroad who are suspected of committing economic crimes.

The repatriation of Yang shows that China’s operation is gaining more and more support from the international community, said Hong.

Yang’s repatriation has laid the ground work for future U.S.-China cooperation, said Hong.

The U.S. is a popular destination for Chinese fleeing investigation, as the two countries do not have an extradition treaty.

However, Hong said there has been a move in recent years for law enforcement officials to coordinate on cross-border corruption cases.

Story by Xinhua