Man on China's list of most-wanted corrupt officials surrenders

One of China’s most-wanted men has returned to the country after eight years on the run.

Li Shiqiao [File photo: CGTN]

Li Shiqiao, former manager of Ningbo Huayuan Property Management Co., fled to Canada in April 2009 after inspectors began investigating him for corruption.

Anti-corruption authorities said Li turned himself on Monday after joint efforts made by provincial authorities of east China's Zhejiang and local departments in Ningbo.

The 75-year-old suspect was on Interpol’s red notice for international arrest and listed as number 75 on China’s 100 most wanted corrupt fugitives. The list was made public in 2015.

China launched its anti-graft operation “Sky Net” in 2015 to tackle corruption, track down overseas suspects and bust underground banks. The campaign involves several government departments, including the Organizational Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, and China's central bank. 

The ongoing anti-corruption drive has already led to the conviction of many “tigers,” or high-ranking officials, and many more minor officials, known as “flies.”

Li is the 40th person on the list to be brought to justice, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CDDI) said.