The Chinese Government has provided a 'priority' list of wanted 'economic fugitives' to the United States, requesting that the country extradite them back to China. Last year, China said more than 150 'economic fugitives' were in the US, describing many of them as corrupt government officials.

The US State Department has confirmed it has received the request, and it's working with Chinese authorities to ensure that evidence and intelligence are in place to back-up any possible arrests.

A spokeswoman for the department here in Washington says both parts are crucial to make sure that US law enforcement agencies can quote "properly investigate and prosecute cases."

Last week, Justice officials in the West Coast state of Washington arrested Shilan Zhao. She's the ex-wife of a former Chinese official. Authorities in the US say the pair fraudulently obtained visas to get into the country, and that the two were involved in money laundering schemes. They say the couple allegedly used some of the money- syphoned off from a China state-run company - to buy property in the US.

Now, we don't know much about this so-called "priority list" of 150 names given by Beijing to Washington. The State Department wouldn't give any further details on the individuals who are on the list of so-called "economic fugitives." But we understand they include a large number of former Chinese officials, believed to be at-large in the US.

It's important to note the US and China do not have an extradition agreement. That means the US is under no legal obligation to send Chinese nationals back home to China.

The State Department said it may return Chinese fugitives to China, if it is convinced or satisfied that they'll receive a fair and safe trial. It's still unclear what if any assurances Beijing has given to Washington, but the two sides, we understand, are due to meet in August to discuss the issue.

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