Beijing, Dec 3 (IANS/EFE): China will set up a database of allegedly corrupt officials who have fled overseas, while over 150 such fugitives surrendered to police by Dec 1, the deadline set by the government for those who wished to be treated leniently.

According to a report Wednesday by the state-controlled China Daily, the campaign, launched by the public security ministry, is aimed at catching financial fugitives abroad and confiscating their ill-gotten gains.

"The database will be publicised on its official website to receive reports from the public at home and abroad," said Huang Shuxian, deputy head of the Communist Party of China Central Disciplinary Inspection Commission.

In October, the foreign affairs and public security ministries, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Supreme People's Court issued a joint statement urging financial fugitives to return to China and confess to their crimes.

The statement said that those fugitives who voluntarily surrendered before Dec 1 would only receive moderate punishment.

According to the public security ministry, 335 people suspected of having committed economic crimes have been arrested and are awaiting trial.