China has sent the U.S. a list of fugitives the country alleges are corrupt officials who are on the lam overseas, many of whom are expected to seek asylum in the U.S.

William Brownfield, an assistant secretary at the U.S. State Department said that the two countries have agreed on a "finite number of individuals" and will "develop a strategy" on a case-by-case basis. At that point, China and the U.S. will "see if we could build from that to a larger solution to the problem," Brownfield said.

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There is currently no extradition treaty between the U.S. and China, however, the law allows for some alternatives. Wanted persons can be dealt with through prosecution in the country to which they fled or be expelled for immigration violations.

Additional, the fugitives can have their assets frozen or seized if it was determined that they were ill gotten. Without funds, the fugitives will have a hard time surviving and will likely be forced to return to their homeland.

An American official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press that China provided more than 100 names, but would not elaborate on their identities, alleged offenses or possible locations within the U.S.

The move is part of China's plan to extend an ongoing crackdown on corruption to those officials who have fled abroad with stolen funds. According to China, as many as 18,000 corrupt officials and employees of state-owned companies have fled China

China has estimated that since the mid-1990s, 16,000 to 18,000 corrupt officials and employees of state-owned enterprises have fled China or gone into hiding with stolen assets totaling more than 800 billion yuan ($130 billion).

Although China has shown interest in negotiating an extradition treaty with the U.S., it has yet to do so because it's hesitant to agree to extradite Chinese citizens accused of crimes in the U.S., according to the AP.

TagsChina Tries to Track Down Fugitives in the U.S., William Brownfield, U.S. State Department, corrupt officials