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The U.S. recently put hurdles in the way of China's attempt to negotiate the repatriation of a Chinese fugitive wanted by the Chinese authorities for crimes committed in the mainland. China and the U.S. do not have an extradition treaty but hosting criminals from another country and protecting them run against the international convention of cooperation in fighting transnational crime and corruption. The move also reveals Washington's mala fide intentions against Beijing.  

Over the years, the U.S. has become host to the largest number of Chinese fugitives suspected of corruption and other economic crimes and escaping legal actions in their homeland. However, Washington has been stonewalling Beijing's repeated requests in recent years for cooperation on repatriating fugitives.

In the latest incident last Thursday, the U.S. unsealed criminal charges against seven Chinese nationals for essentially trying to convince a U.S.-based Chinese fugitive and his son to return to China. 

In the eight-count indictment, unsealed in a District Court in Brooklyn, New York, the U.S. Justice Department accused the Chinese nationals of "waging a surveillance and harassment campaign" against the fugitive and his son, named only as "John Doe-1" and "John Doe-2" – a common practice under the U.S. law to conceal the original identity of individuals.

According to reports, the seven Chinese individuals charged are identified as Quanzhong An, 55, of Roslyn, New York, his daughter Guangyang An, 34, – both were arrested on Thursday morning – and five others who are still in China: Tian Peng, Chenghua Chen, Chunde Ming, Xuexin Hou, and Weidong Yuan. 

The lead defendant Quanzhong An is accused of working at the behest of Chinese authorities "to harass and intimidate" his U.S.-based compatriot and his son, according to the indictment.

"By making those allegations, the U.S. is denying basic facts and discrediting China's law enforcement efforts," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Friday responding to the development. "We firmly oppose it."

Meanwhile, the fugitive father and son are reportedly wanted for committing crimes against fellow Chinese citizens. Chinese authorities have already filed a lawsuit against the duo in a New York state court, accusing the father of stealing funds from a Chinese employer and his son of illegally profiting from the scheme.

'Operation Fox Hunt' targets fugitives evading punishment

China has been running a concerted campaign for years to capture corrupt officials who have fled abroad. As part of a broader multi-organ anti-corruption campaign code-named "Sky Net," the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) runs "Operation Fox Hunt" targeting economic crime suspects who have fled overseas to evade punishment. 

Other government organs that are part of the "Sky Net" campaign include the National Supervisory Commission (NSC), which is responsible for hunting down officials who are suspected of duty-related crimes and the Supreme People's Court, which pursues illicit assets. 

Meanwhile, "Operation Fox Hunt" has achieved considerable success in repatriating such fugitives to China and making them face the law of the land. Between 2014 and May 2021, 9,165 such suspects were extradited from 120 foreign countries and regions, and over 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion) of their illicit gains was retrieved, according to official figures.

Fighting crimes, repatriating fugitives and recovering illegal proceeds are about upholding and advancing justice and the rule of law. Such actions are widely supported by the international community. In pursuing international cooperation in this field, Chinese law-enforcement authorities strictly abide by international law, fully respecting other countries' laws and judicial sovereignty, and protecting the lawful rights and interests of the suspects, which is justified and legitimate.

Similar actions are carried out by law-enforcement authorities from other countries, including the U.S., to bring fugitives to justice. It is in the collective interest of nations to cooperate in the fight against transnational organized crime and corruption.

The latest U.S. action runs counter to the spirit of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, the UN Convention against Corruption, and commitments openly made by Washington on the international stage. The U.S. needs to change its confrontational attitude toward China as it impedes international cooperation and collective action against a global menace. 

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has urged the U.S. "to correct its mistake, facilitate China's efforts to repatriate fugitives and recover illegal proceeds, faithfully fulfill its international obligations and commitments, and avoid becoming a safe haven for criminals." It's time Washington pays heed to saner voices and cooperate with China in fighting transnational organized crime and corruption.

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