China accuses U.S. of shielding fugitives

BEIJING — China on Thursday accused the U.S. of seeking to smear Beijing’s efforts to pursue fugitives, a day after the Justice Department charged eight people with seeking to coerce a New Jersey man who was wanted by Beijing into returning to China to face charges.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China was engaged in a “just cause to fight transnational crime and pursue fugitives and stolen goods internationally.”

“The U.S., out of ulterior motives, ignored the basic facts and discredited China’s efforts,” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing. The U.S. should “bear international responsibilities and avoid being a haven for criminals,” Wang said.

China has for years sought to induce white-collar criminals who have fled abroad — particularly to the United States — to return under a program called “Fox Hunt.” Because China has no extradition treaty with the U.S., the decision to return home must technically be voluntary, although U.S. officials say in practice such operations often rely on threats, intimidation and bullying, often targeting dissidents and political opponents.

Five of the eight charged, including an American private investigator, were arrested Wednesday. The other three are believed to be in China. All eight were charged with conspiring to act as illegal agents for China in a case filed in federal court in Brooklyn.

The Justice Department said the defendants broke the law by failing to notify the U.S. that they were acting as agents of the Chinese government. Several also are charged with conspiracy to commit international and interstate stalking.