Cleaning up corruption

Most of the stories I covered this year featured the search for and repatriation of corrupt officials and businesspeople who had fled overseas, and the confiscation of their ill-gotten gains. The work of China's judicial officers and the cooperation of many foreign governments have resulted in great progress in bringing these people to book.

By the end of last month, the police had repatriated 908 economic fugitives, including 122 corrupt officials, from more than 70 countries and regions to face trial, and they recovered 2.31 billion yuan ($33.9 million) in stolen assets. This year was the first time that the number of new economic fugitives added to the list had fallen.

As a reporter, I cherish the chance to talk with Chinese judicial officers and their foreign counterparts, and also to get close to the fugitives and learn more about their thoughts and lives during their time on the run.