Corrupt officials escaping overseas with large amounts of money and channeling it into personal banking accounts has prompted the Chinese government to investigate the Foreign Affairs, Public Security and Economic agencies.

The Central Chinese Communist Politburo, the State Council, and the General Military Consultation Commission gathered in November to discuss national security leaks and defecting senior government officials, including diplomats and officials stationed overseas, Chinese trade representatives, and public security officials.

The investigation focuses on key personnel that have access to confidential information; and will include probing official’s work assignments, relationships, personal contacts, the social and political backgrounds of friends and relatives, hobbies, income and assets.

More than 50 senior and middle-level corporate and government officials have been reported missing; most are believed to have defected overseas.