The Chinese Foreign Ministry will adopt six measures to help step up pursuit of corrupted officials fleeing abroad and their illicit money, according to Vice Minister Wu Dawei.

Wu said in a signed article carried in China Discipline Inspection and Supervision newspaper, the measures include speeding the approval process of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and making China a contracting party as soon as possible.

The country also plans to sign mutual extradition treaties and criminal justice assistance treaties with more countries.

Corruption has triggered public fury in China. Some 4,000 corrupt officials are reported to have fled abroad, carrying US$50 billion with them.

Last year, 614 suspects involved in job-related crimes have been caught both in China and other countries.

Law enforcement cooperation will be conducted with more countries, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2005)