Revealed: the team behind China's Operation Fox Hunt against graft suspects hiding abroad

The leader of Operation Fox Hunt, the mainland's campaign to pursue corrupt officials and economic criminals hiding overseas, has revealed his team consists of 20 "hunters" with an average age of 30 - and includes some who are in their early 20s.

Liu Dong, deputy director of the Ministry of Public Security's economic crimes division who heads the operation, has used recent interviews with mainland media to give the public a rare glimpse into the Fox Hunt team, which brought 680 fugitives back to China in the course of six months last year.

He told Xinhua the work required a young team because members needed the strength to withstand long hours and frequent long-distance travel.

He listed three main criteria for selection: investigation experience, legal knowledge and foreign language skills.

"In [addition] Fox Hunt team members must have high intelligence to cope with sly foxes, a high emotional quotient to smoothly cooperate with law enforcement departments in relevant countries and areas, and a high adversity quotient to better cope with emergency situations, difficulties and dangers," he said.

Liu said the team had changed slightly from last year, as some members needed a rest. The operation launched last July and lasted six months.

"Up to now, most team members have had master's degrees, and the majority have studied economy, law and investigation. Several others majored in foreign languages and enterprise management," he said.