China's former justice minister Tang Yijun has been handed a life sentence for bribery, in what represents the latest high-profile conviction within President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption purge. The sentencing was reported by state broadcaster CCTV on Monday, underscoring the continued intensity of a campaign that has now punished more than 200,000 officials.
Details of the Corruption Case
The Xiamen Intermediate People's Court in Fujian province found the 64-year-old former minister guilty of illegally accepting property and monetary benefits valued at more than 137 million yuan, equivalent to approximately £14.38 million. The illicit activities spanned a significant sixteen-year period from 2006 through to 2022.
Abuse of Ministerial Power
According to the court's ruling and reports from China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), Tang Yijun systematically abused his senior position to secure benefits for various entities and individuals. His corrupt influence extended into critical areas including company stock market listings, land repurchase deals, the facilitation of bank loans, and the handling of legal cases.
The former minister was also accused of orchestrating financial deals for his family members and accepting extravagant gifts alongside fully funded travel expenses. The court declared that his actions "constituted the crime of bribery," with the sums involved deemed "particularly huge" and resulting in "exceptionally serious losses" to both state and public interests.
Severe Legal Consequences
As part of the sentence, all of Tang Yijun's personal property has been confiscated by the state. Furthermore, he has been permanently stripped of his political rights for life. This severe punishment follows his expulsion from the Chinese Communist Party in 2024, after the initial disciplinary investigation by the CCDI.
Context of Broader Political Purges
Tang's sentencing occurs amidst a renewed wave of investigations targeting senior figures across the Chinese political and military establishment. Just days prior, the Chinese defence ministry announced it was investigating General Zhang Youxia, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, for suspected serious violations. This marks one of the highest-profile purges within the military leadership to date.
Over the preceding weekend, China's anti-graft watchdog also launched a probe into Wang Xiangxi, the sitting Minister of Emergency Management. The investigation into a currently serving minister is considered a rare and significant move, with the CCDI citing "serious violations of discipline and law" – a common euphemism for corruption-related offences.
Historical Precedent in the Justice Ministry
This case bears a striking resemblance to the fate of Tang's predecessor. In 2022, former justice minister Fu Zhenghua was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve after being convicted on bribery charges and for aiding criminals, including his own brother, in concealing illegal activities.
These consecutive convictions of former justice ministers highlight the particular focus within President Xi's long-running anti-corruption campaign, which he initiated upon taking power in 2012. The campaign continues to target high-ranking officials across various government and party organs, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to rooting out graft at the highest levels of Chinese authority.
