Chasing corrupt officials

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC FORUM MEMBERS met in Beijing on Friday to launch the APEC Network of Anti-Corruption Authorities and Law Enforcement Agencies, which will hopefully facilitate cross-border cooperation in the fight against graft. For China, which has been trying its best to prevent corrupt officials from escaping overseas, it is undoubtedly good news.

If the network can be put into operation as soon as possible and function as it should, corrupt elements who intend to flee overseas will have to think twice if their destinations are APEC members. And it will also be easier for China to bring back those who have already fled to these destinations.

Since China's anti-graft campaign has been so intensified that 40 ministerial or higher level officials are being investigated and thousands of lower level ones probed for abuse of power in less than two years since the end of 2012, the pressure has never been greater to block corrupt officials from fleeing overseas and bring to justice those who have already fled overseas and are enjoying a peaceful life with the booty they have taken with them.