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    July 23, 2011

China's Most Wanted Fugitive Arrives in Beijing From Canada

   VOA News
   Canadian officials, center right, talk with Chinese counterparts as
   they arrive in Beijing's Capital International Airport in Beijing,
   China, July 23, 2011. Chinese fugitive Lai Changxing arrived in China
   after a 12-year extradition court battle in Canada
   Photo: AP
   Canadian officials, center right, talk with Chinese counterparts as
   they arrive in Beijing's Capital International Airport in Beijing,
   China, July 23, 2011. Chinese fugitive Lai Changxing arrived in China
   after a 12-year extradition court battle in Canada.

   China's most wanted fugitive has arrived in Beijing after being
   deported from Canada following a 12-year extradition battle.
   Lai Changxing arrived in China Saturday. He is facing charges for
   allegedly orchestrating a multi-billion-dollar smuggling operation.
   A Canadian court cleared the way late Thursday to extradite Lai.
   China's Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision.
   Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird told reporters in China Monday
   that he discussed Lai's case with Chinese officials.
   Lai fled to Canada in 1999 with his wife and children. He says the
   charges against him are politically motivated, and he faces the death
   penalty in China.
   Baird said Beijing has offered assurances that white-collar crime is no
   longer punishable by death in China. Canada does not have a death
   penalty and will not extradite people who face possible execution.

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