China Reform Monitor: No. 1165

May 7:

An unnamed Chinese company will invest in roads, railroads, and dams in Iran’s Ilam Province, the official IRNA news agency reports. The investment includes the construction of a petrochemical complex and development of free trade zone. According to unnamed “Beijing officials” the project will transfer “high technology” and “use [the] local work force.”

May 14:

Police in Matola, Mozambique seized a record haul of 340 elephant tusks and 65 rhino horns at the house of a Chinese national,The Mail & Guardian reports. Police raided the house and found the tusks and horns of at least 235 animals, some of which had fresh blood on them and others that were processed, packed and ready for export. The historic haul of 1,160 kilograms (kgs) of ivory and 124 kgs of rhino horn are valued at more than $19 million. A second Chinese national was arrested after offering police a bribe of $34,000 to release first suspect.

May 15:

Last month Beijing released a list of 100 leading fugitives accused of economic crimes including 40 people believed to be hiding in the U.S. The U.S. was identified as the leading destination, with Canada second, and New Zealand and Australia tied for third. Beijing handed Washington a longer list of about 150 fugitives believed to be in the country, the New York Times reports. Ding Xueliang, at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said Beijing preferred not to publicly identify some suspects for fear that they or their families might retaliate by leaking party secrets. “The biggest targets are not on this list. Some of these people could cause enormous political trouble for the party-state system by revealing what they know.” The list is likely a warning to those whose identities remain secret. Last year alone, 680 fugitives suspected of economic crimes were repatriated from 69 countries and regions in the repatriation operation known as Fox Hunt. The newest phase of the campaign, Sky Net, was announced last month along with a collection of Interpol alerts.

May 17:

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that it is “very necessary” for China and the US to sign a bilateral extradition treaty, hoping that the two sides can start the negotiation process as soon as possible. Wang's remarks came after holding a two-hour talk with visiting U.S. State Secretary John Kerry. Wang hoped that China and the U.S. can “strengthen cooperation on repatriating Chinese fugitives and stolen assets.” He urged the U.S. to promptly conductjoint investigation of relevant cases and carry out repatriation process of Chinese suspects. “The U.S. should under no circumstances become the safe haven for corrupted officials and stolen assets,” Kerry said in comments carried by the official China Daily reports. He pledged to boost cooperation with China on hunting corrupt officials and fugitives who have fled abroad.

May 18:

According to organizers as many as 30,000 people have taken to the streets of Linshui, Sichuan to protest plans for a proposed high-speed rail link to bypass their town in favor of neighboring Guang’an. Marching residents confronted riot troops resulting in violent confrontations that left hundreds of injuries and unconfirmed reports of three deaths, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Videos and photos from the scene depict protesters hurling rocks and being beaten by baton-wielding police in riot gear. Many images of bloodied protesters and injured bodies lying in the streets were also shared widely in China. Police vehicles had their windows smashed, and were overturned and set on fire. Guang’an is the hometown of former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping.