In a move signaling its rise as a global leader in clean governance, China is preparing a landmark law to codify its overseas anti-corruption campaigns into a permanent framework covering repatriation of fugitives, recovery of illicit offshore assets and management of officials stationed abroad.

Legal experts said the draft, which is being reviewed by Chinese lawmakers, clarifies the duties of departments involved in fighting cross-border corruption, and addresses the long-standing challenge of corrupt officials and businesspeople fleeing overseas or funneling illicit funds into foreign real estate and offshore bank accounts.

The proposed law is also seen as a concrete move to implement the Communist Party of China's requirement for full and rigorous self-governance.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, there has been stricter oversight of Party conduct, the fight against corruption has intensified, and Beijing has advocated a new international anti-corruption order, pushing for new progress in international fugitive repatriation and asset recovery.

President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has on multiple occasions made important remarks on international anti-corruption exchanges.

In January 2016, Xi underscored at the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection that greater efforts should be made to track down corrupt officials who have fled overseas and to recover the money they have stolen.

He stressed the need to promote international cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, and to carry out special programs on a global scale to pursue criminals, seek out fugitives and warn those who harbor dreams of fleeing.

In May 2017, when delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, Xi called for the strengthening of international counter-corruption cooperation, so that the Belt and Road will be a road with high ethical standards.

Between 2017 and 2022, "Sky Net" — China's annual cross-departmental campaign to repatriate fugitives and recover illicit assets overseas — brought back 6,900 fugitives and recovered 32.79 billion yuan ($4.9 billion) in illicit funds. In 2025, authorities filed 505 cross-border corruption cases, repatriated 963 fugitives and captured all Asia-based suspects on Interpol's 100 most-wanted Red Notice fugitives.

In July 2025, Zhou Jinghua, a former businesswoman and one of the 100 most-wanted fugitives sought through Interpol at China's request, was repatriated to China from Thailand. Her return meant that all fugitives on the list who had fled to other Asian countries had been brought back to China.

Zhang Lei, a law professor at Beijing Normal University, said the result shows China's reach in pursuing fugitives and recovering assets. "It reflects that China's anti-corruption efforts have no forbidden zones. No matter where corrupt elements flee, they can be tracked down and brought to justice," he said.

Zhang said that fugitive repatriation and asset recovery are crucial elements of international anti-corruption cooperation, adding that achievements in this regard demonstrate the overarching progress of international anti-corruption cooperation and showcase to the international community the development of China's rule of law.

Yang Chao, an associate law professor at Beijing Normal University, said that implementing the UN Convention Against Corruption and proposing the Beijing Declaration on Fighting Corruption — adopted at the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Beijing in November 2014 — demonstrate China's growing role in international anti-corruption governance.

"This shift helps advance law enforcement and judicial cooperation, and reduce obstacles to cross-border cases," she said. "It also narrows the space for corrupt elements to hide overseas and transfer assets, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of China's international anti-corruption cooperation."

This direction has been noted by international bodies. Ghada Waly, former executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, previously commended China for adopting laws aligned with the requirements of the UN Convention Against Corruption.

"I am pleased to see that China has taken important steps to further align its anti-corruption framework with UNCAC requirements," she said earlier in an interview with China Daily.

She also praised China's participation in the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism and its engagement in policy discussions, adding that "this involvement not only shows China's commitment, but also its role and contribution in shaping international policies to combat corruption".

Zhuang Deshui, deputy head of Peking University's Research Center of Public Policy, said that China's draft cross-border anti-corruption law could see greater standardization.

"Domestically, it helps coordinate the responsibilities of supervisory commissions, public security organs, customs and other departments, further streamlining anti-corruption workflows and fostering a unified front, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of handling cross-border corruption cases," he said. "Externally, it vividly demonstrates the CPC's achievements in exercising self-governance."

Yang Weidong, a law professor at China University of Political Science and Law, said that for over a decade, China's central leadership has prioritized advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance, "which requires addressing corruption among officials at all levels, in all sectors, and both at home and abroad".

Yang added that managing public officials stationed overseas — in diplomatic and foreign affairs, commerce, and State-owned enterprises — remains a more challenging issue than repatriating those who fled abroad after engaging in corruption at home.

He said that the time is right for China to codify its practices in cross-border corruption enforcement. "International anti-corruption governance still faces challenges," Yang said. "Addressing them through legislation will make our efforts more effective, reflect the Party's commitment to strict self-governance, and help present China as a responsible major country."