Former Shanxi bank chairman repatriated to China

Guo Hongwei, the former chairman of a bank in Shanxi province, has turned himself in overseas and was recently repatriated to China, thanks to close collaboration between Chinese supervisory and public security authorities and their international counterparts, announced China's top anti-corruption body on Wednesday.

According to the National Commission of Supervision, the 45-year-old Guo was the chairman of a rural commercial bank in Hongtong county, Shanxi. He fled abroad in January 2025 over suspected bribery and illegal lending. In April this year, Interpol issued a Red Notice against him.

Guo's surrender and return were achieved through the efforts of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group's office for fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, in collaboration with the supervisory department in Shanxi, public security authorities, and proactive international law enforcement agencies, the commission said. The specific location of Guo's surrender and the place from which he was repatriated were not disclosed.

An official from the office highlighted that Guo's return is part of the "Sky Net 2026" initiative, which began in early April with the aim of tracking down fugitives, recovering illegal assets, and tackling cross-border corruption. Since its inception in 2015, this annual campaign has been instrumental in these efforts.

Emphasizing the commitment to deepening anti-corruption law enforcement and judicial cooperation, the official pledged to continue the relentless pursuit of fugitives and the recovery of illicit assets. The focus remains on bringing key figures to justice and eliminating any potential escape routes or false hopes they might hold.