China and Switzerland plan to strengthen their anti-corruption cooperation, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and its counterpart Didier Burkhalter.
In 2014, the Chinese authorities launched a huge offensive against corruption, called «Operation Fox Hunt», aiming to track down and bring home fugitives suspected of financial crime.
China reportedly handed lists of targets to countries including the United States, Australia, France, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Repatriating Corrupt Individuals
In a next step Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday at a conference in Beijing: «We have decided to strengthen our cooperation in terms of repatriating corrupt individuals and funds.» He was accompanied by his Swiss counterpart Didier Burkhalter, who is visiting the country.
Wang Yi added: «Switzerland is not providing a haven for Chinese criminals,» according to several media reports.
Fight Against Cybercrime
As part of the agreement with Switzerland, Yi said both countries were pushing to conclude a mutual criminal justice agreement. At the press conference, Burkhalter also called for efforts to step up the fight against cybercrime to combat industrial spying.
«China has recently finalized agreements with the United States and Britain, and we are also interested in concluding such an accord with China,» Burkhalter declared.
