1,300 fugitives returned last year

A total of 1,300 fugitives suspected of economic crimes, 347 of whom were corrupt officials, returned to China from abroad to face justice last year, according to the country's top discipline watchdog.

About 980 million yuan ($152 million) of illicit assets were recovered, according to the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Discipline watchdogs have also tightened management of Party and governmental officials so that the number of newly escaped fugitives dropped from 101 in 2014 to only four last year, CCDI figures show. The number was 31 in 2015 and 19 in 2016.