China to monitor officials travelling abroad

China has launched a programme trying to prevent corrupt officials from fleeing the country by closely monitoring their transfer of funds and reviewing applications for overseas travel.

China has launched a programme trying to prevent corrupt officials from fleeing the country by closely monitoring their transfer of funds and reviewing applications for overseas travel.

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A report released by the ministry of supervision on Friday says the year-long programme will end in August next year and has been implemented in 10 regions, including Guangdong and Shanghai.

The programme is one of numerous efforts by the central government to curb graft.

Corruption is often a focal point of protests by ordinary Chinese and is seen as a major threat to political stability. But it remains common among Communist Party officials.

A recent central bank report said thousands of corrupt officials have stolen more than $120 billion and fled overseas since the mid-1990s.