Italy extradites suspect in theft

One of China's most wanted economic fugitives, who spent 10 years on the run in Italy, has been extradited to face trial, the Ministry of Public Security said on Tuesday.

"It is thought to be the first case in which a European country has approved the extradition of a Chinese economic fugitive in accordance with their laws," the ministry said.

The fugitive, a woman surnamed Zhang, was a former staff member of a financial securities company in Hebei province. Between 2000 and 2005, she allegedly used her position to swindle clients, taking a total of 1.4 million yuan ($226,000) from their accounts, according to the ministry.