China’s hunt

He Jian, one of China's "most-wanted" overseas fugitives, has now returned to the nation.

In 2010, Jian, who was a manager in a real estate company, fled the nation to Canada after being charged with corruption and bribery.

Background

The CCDI is the highest internal-control institution of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It was formed in 1978 and is in-charge of anti-corruption policies within the party. Given that most officials in the government are CPC members, it has become the top anti-corruption watchdog in the country.

The Chinese President Xi Jinping has made tackling corruption one of his main governing agendas. In 2016, the government announced that in the span of three years, one million officials had been punished for corrupt practices. Those caught in the past range from low ranking officials to top brass.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the Chinese corruption watchdog, said that anti-corruption agencies received 1.31 million complaints in 2017.

Currently, Guo Wengui a Chinese billionaire and a man who used to be one of the most powerful people is also on a self-imposed exile in America. He has been accused of multiple crimes by China, is reportedly seeking political asylum in the US. In April 2017, China issued a global "red notice" through the global police co-operation agency Interpol for Wengui’s arrest. Chinese authorities claim that Wengui has been investigated for close to 19 crimes. He has been accused of crimes as severe as kidnapping, money laundering and fraud. Reports have emerged that he is being investigated on rape charges as well. Wengui has stated that the charges that have been brought against him are politically motivated.

Analysis

He Jian was a manager working for a real estate company hailing from the northern province of Hebei. After being charged with corruption and bribery, he fled China to Canada in 2010. He then spent seven years in hiding. He returned back to China in November 2017. He is now the 49th on a list of 100 most-wanted individuals to return to China again, according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

The CCDI has not provided any further details on his return. It is unclear presently on whether he spent seven years in Canada or in any other countries. It is also unclear from which country he has returned. Jian, his family or his legal representatives have not commented so far.

China’s global anti-corruption operation, dubbed “Fox Hunt,” has achieved remarkable results. China arrested 40 of its “top 100” most wanted, leaving only 60 foxes to be hunted. These criminals are also expected to be arrested near future considering the authorities’ willingness.

It was in 2015 when China published its “most wanted” list. However, the country has struggled to repatriate suspects who have fled to Western countries like Australia, Canada and the United States.

Assessment

Our assessment is that the current administration has made anti-corruption one of its key agendas. He Jian’s return and repatriation ought to be a concern for most famous citizen currently in exil - Guo Wengui.