Government and Policy

Canada repatriates criminal suspect to China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-28 20:29

BEIJING: The Canadian police has repatriated a Chinese criminal suspect wanted for contract fraud to China, China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Wednesday.

Liu Xiaoquan was sent back to China on October 21 by the Canadian police in cooperation with its Chinese counterpart, the MPS said in a report on its website.

Liu, a native of southwestern Sichuan Province, allegedly defrauded 400,000 yuan (US$59,000) using a fake contract in March, 2006. He fled to the United States soon afterwards, and to Canada, it said.

He had been brought back to Sichuan where local police was conducting further investigations, the ministry said.

"The repatriation of Liu showcased the determination and the active attitude of both Chinese and Canadian police to uphold the law and safeguard justice," the MPS said in the report.

The MPS would continue to strengthen cooperation with its Canadian counterparts, the ministry said.

Canada repatriated Deng Xinzhi, a suspect involved in a 20-million-yuan (US$3 million) swindling case, in August, 2008, after Deng spent five years in the country.

In a statement of Stockwell Day, Canada's then Public Safety Minister, Day said Deng's removal underscored the Canadian government's commitment that the country would not be a "safe haven" for fugitives.

However, the country still houses a number of Chinese fugitives of economic offences, including Lai Changxing, the leading suspect in the China's most notorious smuggling case valued at US$10 billion.

Lai, now living in Vancouver, was accused of masterminding the country's largest smuggling ring. He fled to Canada in 1999. For a long time, China has been seeking his return to face charges of smuggling, bribery and tax evasion.