Ex-China Justice Minister Receives Life Sentence for Corruption

On Monday, February 2, a court in China sentenced Tang Yijun, the former justice minister, to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of accepting nearly $20 million in bribes over a period exceeding ten years.

The 64-year-old Tang served as China’s justice minister from 2020 until 2023, having previously held various senior roles, including as governor of Liaoning province and Communist Party secretary of Ningbo city.

The Xiamen Intermediate People’s Court in eastern China stated that Tang misused his power and influence in the positions he held from 2006 to 2022 to gain benefits for both individuals and companies. He provided assistance in areas such as public offerings, bank loan approvals, land acquisitions, and various business dealings in exchange for substantial sums.

The court revealed that the total bribery amount was approximately 137 million yuan (around $19.7 million), categorizing this figure as “exceptionally high.” It emphasized that his actions inflicted “extremely serious damage” to both state interests and public welfare.

Despite the gravity of his crimes, the court acknowledged some mitigating circumstances, including Tang's confession following his arrest, his display of remorse, a guilty plea, and his cooperation with the investigation.

Since assuming office in 2012, President Xi Jinping has spearheaded a broad anti-corruption initiative, leading to the prosecution of numerous high- profile officials. Critics assert that this campaign has also been a tactic to eliminate potential political adversaries.

Tang's conviction marks him as the latest former justice minister to face legal consequences. Fu Zhenghua, his predecessor, was found guilty of corruption in 2022, initially receiving a death sentence with a two-year suspension, which was later changed to life imprisonment.

In a related note, Chinese authorities recently announced the initiation of an anti-corruption inquiry into Zhang Youxia, one of the most influential generals in the country, representing the highest-ranking military officer to be investigated in many years.