Former agricultural minister sentenced for bribery

Tang Renjian, former minister of agriculture and rural affairs, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery, a court in Changchun, Jilin province, announced on Sunday.

Tang was also deprived of political rights for life, with all his personal assets confiscated. His illicit gains and related interests were ordered to be turned over to the State treasury, according to a ruling by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court.

In China, a suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life imprisonment if the convicted person commits no new offenses during the two-year probation period. The sentence can be further reduced for good behavior.

The court found that from 2007 to 2024, Tang used his positions — including role as governor of Gansu province and minister of agriculture and rural affairs — to seek benefits for individuals and departments in various matters such as business operations, project contracting and job adjustments.

In return, Tang accepted bribes worth 268 million yuan ($37.7 million), the court said.

"Tang should be convicted of bribery and sentenced to death because the amount of his bribes was extremely large, causing huge losses to the country and the people," the court said in its ruling.

However, it added that leniency was shown because Tang confessed, voluntarily reported bribes unknown to investigators and agreed to hand over his illicit gains.

Tang, 63, a native of Chongqing, began his career in 1983 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1991. He worked in the country's agricultural sector for decades.

He was placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of Party discipline and national laws in May 2024. Six months later, he was expelled from the Party and removed from public office.

In April, he was indicted on the charge of bribery. In July, the court publicly heard the case.