China’s former Minister of Agriculture, Tang Renjian, has been handed a death sentence with a two-year reprieve after being found guilty of massive corruption, a court in northeast Jilin province announced on Sunday.
According to the People’s Court of Changchun, Tang accepted bribes in the form of cash and property worth more than 268 million yuan (approximately $38 million) between 2007 and 2024. The court ruled that his actions inflicted “particularly severe losses to the interests of the state and the people,” making the death penalty a warranted punishment.
However, the court noted that Tang admitted to his crimes and showed remorse, which led to the imposition of the two-year suspended execution. In China, such sentences are often commuted to life imprisonment if the convict demonstrates good behavior during the reprieve period.
Tang’s conviction marks another high-profile case in President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, which has brought down numerous senior officials across different sectors. While supporters of the campaign argue that it strengthens transparency and accountability in governance, critics contend it also serves as a tool for Xi to consolidate political control by eliminating rivals.
Before his downfall, Tang served in several prominent political roles, including governor of Gansu province and vice chairman of the Guangxi autonomous region. His sentencing follows recent investigations into other top-ranking officials, including former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe.
Li was dismissed just seven months into his appointment and subsequently expelled from the Chinese Communist Party for alleged bribery and other offences. His successor, Dong Jun, has also reportedly come under investigation for corruption, further highlighting the wide-reaching scope of China’s anti-graft drive.
