China has stepped up its anti-corruption campaign by sending 49 police liaison officers to Chinese embassies and consulates in 27 countries to help hunt down fugitives who have sought refuge abroad.

The state-run news agency, Xinhua, has reported that police liaison officers were first dispatched in the United States in 1998 as part of  China's ongoing overseas campaign against corrupt government officials.

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China's Ministry of Public Security reported that 13 more officers will be sent in four countries this year to arrest the economic fugitives and hopefully start the repatriation process with the help of the host country.

More than 200 fugitives have been repatriated so far, through the active participation of police officers in the Chinese government's overseas anti-corruption campaign dubbed Operation Fox Hunt 2014. The operation was launched July last year.

Chinese Vice Minister Meng Hongwei said China will improve the work and skills of the police officers in a bid to boost international law enforcement cooperation.

China said it will leave no stone unturned in its anti-corruption drive, focusing not only on arresting the economic criminals at home but also those who have fled abroad.

Liu Dong, who heads the economic crimes unit at the Ministry of Public Security, warned the financial fugitives that no matter where they hide, the long arm of the law will eventually catch them.

"The economic fugitives seem like the crafty foxes who have fled overseas to avoid punishment, but we -the wise hunters-will nail them," said Liu Dong.

Liu said dozens of  police liaisons deployed to 40 countries have brought home fugitives from countries such as Nigeria, Cambodia, Australia, Uganda and Fiji.

According to Washington-based non-profit Global Financial Integrity, these criminals have siphoned off $1.08 trillion in illicit funds out of China and the Chinese authorities are determined to recover whatever money  left by the criminals.

Reports said these economic saboteurs stand to face years in prison, or worse, execution, should the government find them guilty of the crimes they have been charged with.

Tagsfinancial fugitives, economic saboteurs, Operation Fox HUnt