China will strengthen the measures it uses to recover corrupt officials' illicit assets transferred abroad and demand concerned countries to freeze such assets to cut off the officials' means for living overseas, a member of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Supreme People's Procuratorate told Xinhua News Agency on June 27.

The official, who wished not to be named, said China has prevented a large amount of illicit assets from being transferred abroad by coordinating with other countries and regions.

However, there is an obstacle to the work, as procuratorates can only seal or freeze illicit assets involving crimes committed while in public duty for a limited period of time if the suspects are still at large or have escaped custody, instead of permanently confiscating assets.

The official said that the work will be fully carried out after the amendment to the Criminal Procedural Law takes effect on January 1, 2013, adding that procuratorates will improve measures to trace illicit money in the future and make breakthroughs in major cases.