One of China's most wanted economic fugitives has been captured and returned to China after spending 20 years on the run, according to China's top discipline watchdog.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said on Friday that Han Lu, the male fugitive was found in Africa and retuned to China on Thursday night to face trial.

Han is suspected of embezzling 300 million yuan in public funds while serving as a senior manager at a provincial management company in Changsha, capital in Hunan province between 1996 and 1997.

Since late 2012, China has conducted a sweeping mission to fight corruption.

In 2014, Interpol issued red notices to hunt down 100 major alleged Chinese corrupt fugitives.

To date, more than 40 allegedly corrupt fugitives have been brought back from 17 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada and Australia to face trial.

"There is no 'safe heaven' in the world and no matter where the suspects have fled to, we will try every effort to bring them to justice," according to a CCDI statement.