The United States has extradited one of China's most wanted fugitives to Beijing, officials announced on Friday. Experts say the move is a positive sign that both nations are willing to collaborate to combat corruption.

Yang Jinjun is the first Chinese fugitive to be repatriated from America since China released a list of 100 most wanted people under operation 'Sky Net' in April. The Central Commission for Disciple Inspection (CCDI) revealed that he absconded to the U.S. in 2001.

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Yang, who represented and managed a Wenzhou-based company known as Minghe Group, is accused of bribery and corruption. An Interpol red notice has been issued for his arrest since 2005.

It is unclear if the charges against Yang are in anyway linked to those against his sister Yang Xuizhu. Yang Xiuzhu, who is described as China's "most wanted fugitive," embezzled up to $40 million (255 million yuan) when she was the deputy mayor of Wenzhou.  She fled from China in 2003 after authorities started investigating her brother, according to Chinese state media. She was arrested in the U.S. earlier this year while attempting to enter the country with a fake passport. Beijing has demanded that she is extradited to face trial, but she has applied for asylum from the U.S.

Several Chinese fugitives are believed to be hiding in the U.S. and other western countries. But the U.S. government has been reluctant to extradite wanted persons reportedly out of human rights concerns.

The terms of Yang's repatriation remains unclear, but the move clearly goes against U.S. concerns about torture and death sentence that prisoners are likely to face in China. There are speculations that Yang's extradition - only a few days before President Xi Jinping visits the U.S. - is meant to appease China and create an amiable atmosphere for the Chinese leader's visit. It could also be the fruit of negotiations between both sides towards formulating some form of prisoner extradition agreement.

TagsYang Jinjun, Yang Xiuzhu, Operation Sky Net, Minghe Group, U.S. China Extradition Agreement