APEC anti-graft network begins operations

An anti-graft law enforcement network that promotes cooperation in crackdown on corruption, bribery, money laundering and illegal trade among the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies has started operations, a statement from the disciplinary watchdog of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said Saturday.

The network consists of anti-corruption and law enforcement personnel from the APEC member economies. It includes a chairman, liaison personnel and a secretariat, Xinhua quoted the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection as saying on its website.

The network will establish a regular contact mechanism to facilitate information sharing and build up trust among anti-corruption and law enforcement authorities in the region.

The network will build an anti-graft law enforcement cooperation mechanism to investigate corruption, bribery, money laundering and illegal trade crimes, it said.

It will also gather and share experiences in anti-graft areas through seminars and exchanges.

The network's Chinese liaison personnel come from judicial, procuratorate, public security, disciplinary and bank regulating authorities, according to the statement.

The network comes into being amid efforts by China to clamp down on corrupt officials, including those who try to escape abroad.