BEIJING - China's exit and entry inspectors in 2011 discovered 2,999 people who intended to steal out of or into the country, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Figures from the ministry also showed 1,140 fugitives from China's online "most wanted" list were apprehended by border inspection authorities last year.

About 49,000 people were caught in violations of exit and entry laws and rules, the ministry said.

The Chinese mainland recorded 411 million entries and exits in 2011, registering an increase of 7.6 percent compared with the previous year, according to the ministry.

They included 140 million trips by mainlanders, 217 million by Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, and 54 million by foreigners, up 22.6 percent, 0.6 percent and 3.8 percent year-on-year, respectively.