Fugitive returns to China after 8 years, turns self in

After eight years on the run, Zhou Quan, a fugitive on the Red Notice list issued by Interpol, returned to China and turned himself in on Aug 9, according to a statement issued by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of Communist Party of China and the National Supervisory Commission on Friday.

Zhou, 63, used to be a director of a company's office dispatched by Dalian Ocean Shipping Company, which is the predecessor of COSCO Shipping Dalian Investment, a secondary enterprise directly under China COSCO Shipping Corporation.

Zhou is suspected of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds. He fled abroad in March 2015.

In May 2016, Interpol issued a red notice against him. The investigating authorities seized his assets related to the case after that.

In June 2018, the central anti-corruption coordination group released clues about some of the 50 fugitives suspected of duty crimes and finance crimes. The clues showed that Zhou fled to the United States.

An official from the central anti-corruption coordination group said that Zhou Quan's decision to return to China and surrender is a success of the "Sky Net" operation, an initiative launched for pursuing fugitives and recovering stolen goods. The "Sky Net 2023" operation kicked off in March.

Zhou's case once again proves that surrendering voluntarily is the only right path. The authorities will maintain a high-pressure stance to ensure that corrupt individuals who have fled the country do not escape legal punishment, said the official.