Former official turns himself in after fleeing 2 months abroad

BEIJING -- Graft fugitive Ling Jiandong has voluntarily returned to China and turned himself in two months after fleeing overseas, an official source announced Thursday.

He has also been cooperative in returning his illegal gains, according to a statement by an office in charge of fugitives and asset recovery under the central anti-corruption coordination group.

Ling, former head of the civil affairs bureau of Bengbu city in East China's Anhui province, is suspected of taking bribes, the statement said.

He fled overseas on Aug 2 this year.

His swift return shows the effectiveness of China's reform on its supervisory system, said the statement, pledging never to stop the pursuit of fugitives involved in corruption.