Chinese law enforcement agencies extradited a suspect from Thailand on Tuesday in connection with a major financial criminal case involving more than 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars), China's Ministry of Public Security announced Friday.
The man surnamed Zhang is the first financial criminal suspect extradited to China from Thailand since the two countries' extradition treaty took effect in 1999, according to the ministry.
Zhang was discovered to have led a pyramid scam operation under the guise of issuing virtual currency since 2012. The public security organ of Chongqing Municipality launched an investigation into Zhang in 2020, and an Interpol Red Notice was issued in March 2021.
Zhang was captured by Thai police in 2022, and was ordered to be extradited to China following a sentence made by Thailand's Appeals Court in May of this year, a decision later supported by the Thai government.
China extradites suspect of 100-billion-yuan financial crime from Thailand
A Canadian artist's bonsai studio has become a popular tourist attraction this summer in Chongzhou City, Sichuan Province, southwest China, boosting the local bonsai trade and contributing to rural revitalization.
Bonsai, the art of creating miniature natural landscapes by arranging soil, stones, moss, and plants on a tray, has deep cultural roots in Chongzhou.
In 2019, Canadian artist Chad Sinclair rented a small courtyard and launched his own bonsai studio in the city. Sinclair has developed a unique bonsai style, blending Western simplicity with the artistic essence of traditional Chinese design.
Small and lightweight, his bonsai works are popular, driving more than 300 local residents to switch to miniature bonsai cultivation and increasing each of their annual incomes by 50,000 yuan (about 7,415 U.S. dollars).
"It's great. It makes me feel like I'm helping the village out, since they've helped me out in a lot of ways. I'm somehow giving back to them. They're able to make a better living for themselves and a better life," said Sinclair.
Relying on Sichuan-style bonsai, Chongzhou has developed industries including bonsai cultivation and art study tours, extending the city's industrial chain from bonsai sales to rural tourism.
"We run multiple services such as catering, study tours, bonsai sales and bonsai DIY experiences, which have boosted our annual income to 180,000 to 200,000 yuan," said Guo Min, a local bonsai garden manager.
In 2025, Sinclair was honored as an Outstanding Talent for Rural Revitalization by local authorities, making him the first foreigner to receive this title.
"We will provide special subsidies for these selected rural talents, alongside policy support covering production, daily life, entrepreneurship and employment. Chongzhou has certified more than 200 rural revitalization talents," said Lu Jiao, a local official.
Canadian artist's bonsai studio sparks bonsai trade and tourism boom in Sichuan city
