Chinese Police Help Retrieve 72-Million Dollars in Tax Losses

BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police helped taxation administrations retrieve potential losses amounting to 600 million yuan (72.3 million US dollars) in the first half of this year.

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) attributed this success to the intensified crackdown on tax-related crimes such as invoice forgery, which began this year.

MPS sources said here today that more than 2,700 cases, involving a total of 6.6 billion yuan (795.3 million dollars), have been investigation and nearly 2,400 suspects arrested during the first half of this year.

The Ministry has established a special center to deal with tips concerning economic crimes provided by units and individuals, in an effort to broaden investigation channels and scope. Half the cases uncovered in the first half were the result of tips of this kind.

Police and the administrations of taxation, customs, and foreign exchange at all levels have joined hands in fighting tax- related crimes. Nearly 40 percent of all cases under investigation have taken advantage of sources and tips provided by relevant administrations during the first six months this year.

The MPS is now consulting with the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Supreme People's Court, and the State Administration of Taxation on drafting relevant laws and regulations to set up a practical judicial system.