1st Ld-Writethru: China Focus: China releases wanted list for worldwide fugitive hunt

Interpol's National Central Bureau of China has released a list of 100 persons wanted worldwide, as the hunt for economic fugitives intensifies.

On the list are 77 men and 23 women allegedly involved in corruption and all on Interpol's red notice for international arrest, said a statement released Wednesday by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

The list on the CCDI website (www.ccdi.gov.cn) is complete with suspects' photos, IDs and visa numbers, possible destinations and the crimes they allegedly committed.

"Via Interpol and other channels, China has requested law enforcers in related countries to cooperate to bring these suspects back to justice," it said.

Nearly half of the fugitives, 48 in total, used to be heads of government departments, enterprises and public institution. Over 60 percent are suspected of bribe taking and embezzlement of funds.

Other fugitives include former police officers, accountants, cashiers and bank officers. Suspected crimes include contract and loan fraud, issuing false value added tax invoices and illegally taking public deposits.

In terms of destinations, the CCDI said that 40 have fled to the U.S., 26 to Canada, and the rest to New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, and other countries and regions.

The latest move is part of the "Sky Net", a campaign to repatriate corruption suspects. Sky Net combines the government, Communist Party, central bank and diplomatic services. According to the CCDI, those on Wednesday's list were only a fraction of the targets.

"A 'sky net' is being woven. We will cooperate with other countries and mobilize our resources to make these fugitives unwelcome guests and bring them back to justice," the statement said. Endi