Ex-Justice Minister Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Over $20M Bribery Scandal in China

Tang, a former Chinese Justice Minister, was found guilty of accepting bribes totaling nearly $20 million over a period spanning a decade. Tang, 64, served in China's Justice Ministry from 2020 to 2023 and held several influential positions, including as governor of Liaoning Province and secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in Ningbo City.

The Xiamen Intermediate People's Court in eastern China found Tang guilty of abusing his authority and illegally enriching himself from 2006 to 2022. Tang exploited his position to receive illicit payments in exchange for assisting individuals and companies in securing initial public offerings, obtaining bank loans, acquiring land, and facilitating business relationships.

The court noted the particularly high scale of the crimes and despite several offenses, Tang was granted leniency due to mitigating factors. Tang's conviction is the latest in a series of high-profile cases linked to President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign since assuming power in 2012.

Other officials like Fu Zhenghua have also been convicted of corruption. Additionally, Chinese authorities recently launched an anti-corruption investigation into Zhang Youxia, the country's highest-ranking military figure.