Extradition treaties help retrieve corrupt officials

China had signed extradition treaties with 36 countries as of the end of May, facilitating the tracking of corrupt officials who have fled the country, according to the website of the Ministry of Supervision Monday.

The country has also signed judicial assistance treaties with 49 nations on criminal and civil matters, Supervision Minister Huang Shuxian said, adding that these treaties help to better implement the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Huang, who is also deputy chief of the Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said more anti-graft regulations need to be drafted in an effort to keep abreast with the convention.

"The legal systems involved need to be improved, and international cooperation on the anti-corruption drive suits China's interests and benefits and actual needs," Huang said, urging officials to fulfill the convention and strengthen collaboration.

China will have its anti-corruption work reviewed by Vietnam and the Bahamas after July, marking the first time for its work to be reviewed under UNCAC since the National People's Congress Standing Committee in October 2005 ratified the convention.

Currently, the convention has 167 signatories. Hong Kong and Macao will be reviewed alongside the mainland.

The review process mostly evaluates a country's work on criminal corruption cases and law enforcement, as well as its efforts at international cooperation on anti-corruption measures. China is currently responsible for reviewing Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Global Times - Agencies