China has sentenced Tang Renjian, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes totaling over 268 million yuan (approximately $37.6 million). The verdict was delivered by a court in Changchun, Jilin province.
Tang, who served as governor of Gansu province and later as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs from 2007 to 2024, was found to have used his official positions to secure benefits for individuals and departments in business operations, project contracting, and job placements.
According to state-run news agency Xinhua, Tang accepted bribes in cash and property during his tenure. He was expelled from the Communist Party in November 2024, six months after being placed under investigation by the anti-graft watchdog for serious violations of party discipline and national laws. He was indicted on bribery charges in April, with his case publicly heard in July.
The Changchun Intermediate People’s Court stated, “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.” However, the court showed leniency due to Tang’s confession, voluntary reporting of previously undisclosed bribes, and agreement to surrender his illicit gains.
In addition to the suspended death sentence, Tang was deprived of all political rights for life, and his personal assets were confiscated. His illicit gains and related interests were ordered to be turned over to the state treasury.
In China, a suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life imprisonment if the convict commits no further offenses during the two-year probation period. The sentence may be further reduced for good behavior.
Tang’s investigation was notably swift and followed similar probes into former Defence Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe. This crackdown is part of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing campaign since 2020 to purge China’s domestic security apparatus and ensure police, prosecutors and judges are “absolutely loyal, absolutely pure and absolutely reliable”.
In January, President Xi declared corruption as the biggest threat to the Communist Party, warning that it remains a rising danger.
Story by: Elikplim Awuku
