China Sentences Former Agriculture Minister to Death Over Bribery Scandal
A Chinese court has sentenced former Agriculture Minister Tang Renjian to death with a two-year reprieve after finding him guilty of accepting over $38 million in bribes during his time in public office.
The ruling, delivered by the Intermediate People’s Court in Hebei Province on Saturday, found
that Tang had abused his positions of power in various government agencies to grant favors in
business contracts, promotions, and project approvals in exchange for illicit payments.
Under China’s legal system, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve often means the penalty
may be commuted to life imprisonment if the convict demonstrates good behavior during the
reprieve period.
According to state media reports, Tang admitted to the charges during the trial, expressing
remorse for his actions. Prosecutors argued that his conduct undermined public trust in
government institutions and damaged the integrity of China’s agricultural sector.
The case is part of President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, which has seen
thousands of officials investigated and punished since 2012. Several senior figures, including
ministers, generals, and executives of state-owned enterprises, have faced heavy sentences under
the initiative.
Observers note that the harsh ruling underscores Beijing’s determination to crack down on graft
at the highest levels of government, especially within sectors critical to food security and rural
development.
China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Communist Party’s top anti-graft
watchdog, reiterated after the judgment that no official is “above the law,” stressing that the
country’s development goals cannot be achieved without transparency and accountability.
Tang, 62, served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs from 2020 until his removal in
2023 when he was placed under investigation.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
