Ex-China justice minister sentenced to life for accepting massive bribes

A Chinese court on Monday handed down a life sentence to a former justice minister after finding him guilty of taking bribes worth nearly $20 million over a period spanning more than ten years.

The ruling was issued by the Xiamen Intermediate People’s Court, which convicted Tang Yijun, 64, who served as China’s justice minister from 2020 to 2023. During his long political career, Tang also held senior roles including governor of Liaoning province and party chief of Ningbo city.

According to the court, Tang used the influence and authority of the positions he held between 2006 and 2022 to secure benefits for various individuals and organisations. In return, he accepted large sums of money.

The court said Tang intervened in matters such as helping companies with initial public offerings, facilitating bank loans, and assisting with land acquisitions, all in exchange for payments. The total amount he received was calculated at 137 million yuan, or about $19.7 million.

In its statement, the court described the scale of the bribery as “particularly high” and said Tang’s actions had caused “extremely serious damage to the interests of the state and the people”.

At the same time, the judges noted several factors that led them to spare him the death penalty. These included Tang’s confession after being detained, his admission of guilt, expressions of remorse, and cooperation with investigators.

The verdict comes amid China’s ongoing anti-corruption drive launched under President Xi Jinping, which has targeted senior officials across the country since 2012.