Anti-graft drive expands to overseas diplomatic missions

China has stepped up its war on graft by joining the International Anti-Corruption Academy, a global institute based in Austria that provides education and training to members on how to effectively combat bribery, reported South China Morning Post on Wednesday.

The move comes just days after APEC leaders agreed to a proposal by Beijing to set up a network to share information on corruption and deny safe haven to officials implicated in graft cases.

"Beijing's growing interest in joining international anti-graft efforts is a gesture to convince the domestic and international public that China is no longer covering up corruption scandals and is actively fighting them," said Zhang Lifan, a Beijing-based political commentator.

Financed by voluntary contributions from its members, the academy, based in the city of Laxenburg, south of Vienna, aims to foster international cooperation and provide technical assistance to better tackle corruption.

Besides, China is also sending inspection teams to embassies and consulates in the United States, Canada and the United Nations to fight corruption in these institutions.