China on Wednesday launched this year's global anti-corruption manhunt operation.

Codenamed "Sky Net 2021," the operation launched in April 2015 is aimed at capturing suspects of duty-related crimes who have fled abroad and preventing suspects from fleeing.

A total of 1,421 fugitives, including 28 Red Notice fugitives, were brought back to China during the country's 2020 anti-corruption manhunt operation, according to the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission's website.

In addition, about 2.95 billion yuan ($458 million) in illicit gains was retrieved during the operation.

The number of fugitives brought back last year was the second highest since the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group was established in 2014 to track down fugitives and recover ill-gotten assets, the country's top anti-graft body said.

(With input from Xinhua)