US warns China over "Operation Fox Hunt"

The United States' warning to China concerned activities of its agents working undercover for China's Ministry of Public Security. They had been entering the US on trade or tourist visas and then used "various strong-arm tactics" to pressure expatriates to go back to China, according to a report in Sunday's New York Times.

Most of the targets of the Chinese program called "Operation Fox Hunt" were allegedly fugitives. Beijing was also aiming to recover funds tied to criminal activity.

More than 930 suspects around the world have been repatriated to China since last year under the program, according to the report which cited the Ministry of Public Security.

The Times said the State Department warned China in recent weeks to stop the agents' activities, which had included threats against targets' relatives in China.

Some of the individuals being hunted were wanted on economic corruption charges while others were suspected of political crimes by Beijing.

The Times reported information that Chinese agents had been trying to track down Ling Wancheng, a wealthy and politically connected businessman. He fled to the US last year and has been living in a house he owns outside Sacramento. If he seeks political asylum, the newspaper suggested he could become one of the most damaging defectors in China's history.

China and the United States do not have an extradition treaty.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to make his first state visit to the United States next month.

jm/bw (Reuters, AFP)