The mechanism includes signing reciprocal juridical assistance agreements and extradition treaties, as well as cooperation with procuratorial departments in more than 80 countries and regions.

"Corruption is a common global issue targeted by every nation, and we have received abundant international cooperation in recent years," Jiang said.

The successful extradition from the United States of former Guangdong banker Yu Zhendong in 2004 was hailed as a powerful blow against corruption.

Yu was convicted of misappropriating $483 million before fleeing to the United States.

In Heilongjiang, a total of 13 criminal suspects involving job-related crimes have fled abroad since 1991, with five of them successfully returned to China.

"The cost of pursuing such criminal suspects is huge," Jiang said.

"But for those causing serious economic and social harm, procuratorates will spare no expense in bringing them to justice."

Chinese prosecutors are becoming more professional in their pursuit of corrupt officials.

Domestically they have successfully caught 4,547 criminal suspects in the past five years, especially thanks to enhanced cooperation with public security, customs and security departments.

(China Daily March 17, 2008)