Authorities in China have demoted about 1,000 government officials with relatives abroad who refused to return home, Xinhua said on Monday, in the latest clamp down in a sweeping anti-corruption campaign.

Zhao Guopin/For China Daily

Authorities had identified more than 3,200 officials at county-level or above, with children or spouses who have emigrated abroad, Xinhua citing the Organization Department of the party's Central Committee.

Xinhua said those officials, known as "naked" officials in China, use their families "as a conduit transferring their ill-gotten assets abroad, and in preparation for their own flight".

"Personnel departments nationwide have held talks with 'naked officials' and asked them to choose between accepting less sensitive posts or bringing their families back to China," Xinhua said.

"Those who refused have been disciplined and personnel departments will monitor 'naked officials' on a regular basis in the future."

In July, the southern province of Guangdong said it had forced out more than 850 "naked officials" from their jobs. The province drafted a law in October banning such officials from holding important positions.

In July, Wang Qishan, secretary of the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, told investigators to go after such officials.

Separately, the party's anti-graft watchdog said on Monday it was investigating a senior executive from China Unicom.

Zhang Zhijiang, the general manager responsible for network construction, was suspected of "serious violation of discipline", the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said on its website.

The commission did not give any details of the investigation.

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