China means business: man sentenced to death despite confessing guilt
China on Sunday sentenced former Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Tang Renjian to death with a two-year reprieve for taking nearly USD 38 million in bribes, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Tang was also permanently stripped of his political rights. All personal assets will be confiscated, and illicit funds will be seized and handed to the state, as stated in the verdict delivered by the Intermediate People’s Court in Changchun, Jilin Province, Xinhua reported.
The court found that from 2007 to 2024, Tang used senior positions at central and local levels to help others secure business deals, win project bids, and obtain promotions. In return, he accepted more than 268 million yuan (about USD 38 million).
Judges ruled the offences caused serious harm to national and public interests and merited the death penalty. But the court applied leniency because Tang cooperated with investigators, confessed, returned illegal gains, and expressed remorse.
Tang’s trial was held on 25 July, where prosecutors, the defence and lawyers examined evidence and argued the case. Tang pleaded guilty and apologised in his closing statement.
A death sentence with a two-year reprieve in China is typically commuted to life imprisonment if the prisoner shows good behaviour during the reprieve period.