In a shocking twist to China’s sweeping anti-corruption drive, former agriculture minister Tang Renjian has been handed a suspended death sentence after being found guilty of accepting bribes worth more than 268 million yuan (€32.4 million).
The People’s Court of Changchun in Jilin province ruled that Tang’s crimes inflicted “particularly severe damage to the interests of the state and the public,” warranting the country’s harshest penalty. The court confirmed that Tang had admitted his guilt and shown remorse, but the magnitude of the corruption left little room for leniency.
According to court documents, Tang pocketed bribes in cash and properties spanning nearly two decades, from 2007 until his downfall in 2024. The disgraced minister previously served as governor of Gansu province and vice chairman of the Guangxi autonomous region before being elevated to national office.
Read also:
- China slams US chipmaker Nvidia for breaching anti-monopoly laws
- China unveils ‘pregnancy robot’ with artificial womb
- Outbreak of mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus spreads panic in China
Tang’s sentencing underscores President Xi Jinping’s relentless crackdown on corruption, which has already toppled a long list of senior officials across China’s political and military establishment. Supporters of the campaign hail it as a decisive step toward cleaner governance, but critics insist it is also a powerful tool for Xi to neutralize rivals and tighten his grip on power.
The case follows a string of high-profile corruption scandals that have rocked Beijing’s leadership. Former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were both dismissed under corruption investigations, with Li expelled from the Communist Party just months into his tenure. His successor, Dong Jun, is also reported to be facing scrutiny.
With Tang Renjian now condemned, the verdict adds fresh weight to China’s ongoing purge of corruption at the highest levels of government, sending a stark warning to officials across the country.
