China urges early deportation of Lai Changxing
( 2001-09-04 17:39 ) (9 )

China hopes the Canadian Government deport Lai Changxing, China's most-wanted fugitive, to China as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the renewed routine news briefing coming after a two-month summer recess, Zhu reiterated China's hopes that Canada can keep promises in not becoming a hide-up for criminals.

Zhu said, being the head of a smuggling ring in Xiamen, Lai Changxing should be punished in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. China hopes the Canadian Government can deal with Lai's case by sticking to principles.

The smuggling ring, led by 43-year-old Lai, was netted in last year. Investigations revealed that from 1996 to 1999, Lai and other suspects smuggled goods worth some 53 billion yuan (US$6.38 billion). The evaded tax totalled 30 billion yuan (US$3.6 billion).

More than 600 people were involved in the illegal activities. Some 200 suspects who had fled the area have been caught. To date nearly 300 suspects have been put on trial. Fourteen people, including officials at provincial level, were sentenced to death according to criminal law.