2,566 economic fugitives captured

China captured 2,566 economic fugitives who had fled to more than 90 countries and regions, and recovered 8.6 billion yuan ($1.25 billion) during its Sky Net manhunt from 2014 to last year.

Of those, 1,283 turned themselves in or were persuaded to return to China, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the central anti-graft coordination group's office in charge of fugitives.

A total of 410 had been members of the Communist Party of China or official staff, according to the statement. So far, 39 of China's 100 most-wanted have returned, voluntarily or otherwise.

The campaign has effectively stopped corrupt officials from fleeing overseas, the statement said. The number of those who fled abroad dropped significantly over the period, from 101 in 2014 to 19 last year.

According to another statement by the Ministry of Public Security on Saturday, the Fox Hunt campaign, an important part of Sky Net, netted 951 fugitives suspected of economic offenses from 72 countries and regions last year.

Police nationwide have worked with the People's Bank of China to solve 380 cases of underground banks and money laundering, closing more than 500 underground banks.