A Chinese court has handed former agriculture minister Tang Renjian a suspended death sentence after finding him guilty of large-scale corruption.
According to the People’s Court of Changchun in Jilin province, Tang accepted cash and property bribes worth more than 268 million yuan (approximately €32.4 million) between 2007 and 2024. The court stated that the offences caused “particularly severe losses to the interests of the state and the people,” justifying the harsh penalty.
Tang’s sentence includes a two-year reprieve, during which the death penalty may be commuted to life imprisonment, provided no further crimes are committed. The court noted that he had admitted guilt and shown remorse during proceedings.
His conviction marks another high-profile case in President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, which has already targeted senior officials in multiple sectors. Supporters view the drive as a step toward cleaner governance, while critics argue it serves as a tool for consolidating political power.
Tang previously held senior roles as governor of Gansu province and vice chairman of the Guangxi autonomous region. His case follows similar investigations into former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, both of whom were removed from office over alleged misconduct. Li, in particular, was ousted just seven months into his tenure before being expelled from the Communist Party. His successor, Dong Jun, has also reportedly come under scrutiny.
