Scores of fugitives returned

Yan Yongming

Yan Yongming, a graft fugitive with New Zealand citizenship, surrendered in 2016 before returning to China after 15 years on the run, thanks to the close cooperation between police in both countries. More than 130 million yuan ($19 million) was returned to China.

Born in 1969, Yan is a former chairman of Tonghua Golden-Horse Pharmaceutical Industry Co in Jilin province. In 2015, he ranked No 5 on Interpol's list of the 100 most-wanted Chinese corruption fugitives by Beijing, for allegedly embezzling more than 180 million yuan.

He fled in 2001, first to Australia, under the name of Liu Yang, before gaining New Zealand citizenship. He was known in New Zealand as Bill Liu and also as William Yan.

China asked New Zealand to repatriate Yan, providing evidence that he had been granted citizenship under a false identity. He was later charged with immigration fraud, but was acquitted in 2012 by a local court.

With the help of Chinese police, New Zealand officers launched an investigation in 2014 into Yan's alleged money laundering, and traveled to China several times to collect evidence.

After the investigation, New Zealand police announced a forfeiture order against Yan for 42.85 million New Zealand dollars ($29 million).

In 2015, New Zealand charged Yan with money laundering. Starting in May 2016, China sent working groups to meet with Yan before he decided to surrender and return home in November 2016.

Due to his decision to return voluntarily after 15 years on the run, Yan received a lenient sentence of three years in prison, suspended for three years.

He was sent back to New Zealand after his trial and sentenced to five months' home detention for money laundering. His assets were confiscated and the money seized was shared by the two countries.