A key suspect behind the kidnapping and murder of a Chinese citizen in the Philippines was repatriated to China from the United States on Monday, the Ministry of Public Security said.

According to the ministry and media reports, two individuals including a Chinese national surnamed Xia were lured to the Philippines in June 2024, where they were abducted and later killed by a criminal gang.

Investigation found that the suspect, surnamed Liu, was a major culprit in the case and had fled to the United States, the ministry said.

Chinese police worked closely with law enforcement agencies in the United States, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea throughout the investigation, which led to the issue of an Interpol Red Notice for Liu.

Chinese police also communicated with US law enforcement agencies and shared evidence with them on several occasions, in order for them to arrest and repatriate the suspect, according to the ministry.

Acting on information and evidence provided by the Chinese side, US law enforcement agencies arrested Liu in October 2024 before returning him to China on Monday, the ministry said.

The case represents the latest outcome of law enforcement cooperation between China and the United States in implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and another successful case for China and the United States to jointly crack down on cross-border crime, the ministry said.