China's most-wanted fugitive, Yang Xiuzhu, who fled overseas 13 years ago, returned to Beijing on Wednesday in what is considered an important achievement in China's anti-graft efforts.

Yang, 70, former deputy director of the construction department of Zhejiang province, has been accused of embezzling 250 million yuan ($36.3 million), according to the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Yang fled overseas in 2003 and had been to many countries, including Singapore, France and the United States, to avoid punishment. She took an American Airlines flight back to Beijing from Dallas and was arrested upon her arrival on Wednesday afternoon at the airport.