CORRUPT officials who think that foreign countries are safe havens are indulging in wishful thinking, an anonymous insider told the People’s Daily website yesterday.

Authorities have tracked down a significant number of Chinese officials suspected of absconding with illicit funds amid an international manhunt.

Operation “Fox Hunt,” which was launched on July 22, has snared nearly 130 fugitives and uncovered the whereabouts of many others.

Authorities haven’t released the exact number of fugitive officials, but statistics from various research institutions had suggested a rising trend.

In 2004, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation said that nearly 4,000 officials had fled overseas since the introduction of 1978’s reform and opening-up policy. They took nearly US$50 billion with them, the academy said.

In 2008, China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China, cited a Chinese Academy of Social Sciences research report saying that about 16,000 to 18,000 officials from Party organs, government departments, state institutions and state-owned companies had fled overseas or disappeared since the mid-1990s along with 800 billion yuan (US$131 billion).

Cao Jianming, China’s top procurator, revealed in October last year that 6,694 corrupt officials had been caught overseas between 2008 and 2013.

According to China’s top Party disciplinary watchdog, 1,100 officials failed to return to China after going abroad on holiday last year. Among them, 714 were identified as fleeing overseas.

This February, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said the number was sure to rise, especially of officials who had acquaintances or assets overseas.

Australia, the United States and Canada were the most popular destinations.