China has captured 180 economic crime suspects abroad since a campaign began in July, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Thursday.

The suspects were apprehended in 40 countries and regions: 104 were arrested by the police and 76 returned to China to give themselves up. The number surpassed that of last year, the MPS said.

A total of 44 of those arrested were involved in economic cases worth over 10 million yuan ($1.63 million), the MPS said.

China launched the Fox Hunt 2014 operation in July to "block the last route of retreat" for corrupt officials at a time when a major crackdown on graft had already narrowed the space for abuse of power.

The operation made "breakthroughs" in Africa, South America, the South Pacific and Western Europe.

Liu Jinguo, vice minister of the MPS, urged police around the country to strengthen publicity and encourage people to provide tips.

Liu also vowed to hold officials accountable if their negligence of duty leads to the absconding of economic criminals and pledged to bring justice to those that provide fake identities and passports to suspects.