In its ongoing efforts to track down corrupt fugitives, China has secured the return of 1,306 individuals who had fled abroad and also recovered illicit assets totaling 15.4 billion yuan (about 2.1 billion U.S. dollars) between January and November 2024.

　　KEY SECTORS PRONE TO CORRUPTION

　　China has broadened its fight against corruption in key sectors vulnerable to malpractice, including finance, energy, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, sports and infrastructure projects.

　　Among them, the pharmaceutical sector stands out, with 52,000 cases filed and 2,634 individuals referred to prosecutors. These individuals were allegedly implicated in corrupt practices, including accepting kickbacks, defrauding medical insurance funds, and manipulating appointment slots for profit, according to a report by the National Supervisory Commission.

　　The crackdown on misconduct in this sector has delivered tangible results, with medical insurance departments recovering 24.2 billion yuan in misappropriated funds. In 2024, compared to 2022, average discharge costs in public hospitals dropped by 5.7 percent, while medication costs fell by 12.1 percent.

　　Sports is another key focus of the anti-corruption drive. In May 2024, Gou Zhongwen, former head of the General Administration of Sport (GAS), was placed under investigation. Gou was subsequently arrested in December last year on charges of bribery and abuse of power.

　　Several high-ranking sports officials stood trial in 2024, including Du Zhaocai, former deputy head of the GAS, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, and Li Tie, former head coach of the national men's football team and a renowned former player, who received a 20-year sentence.

　　SOPHISTICATED CORRUPTION TACTICS