Former vice-governor of Yunnan province sentenced over bribery offences

Li Shisong, former vice-governor of Southwest China's Yunnan province, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday for accepting bribes, according to CCTV news. The sentence was handed down by Guiyang Intermediate People's Court in Guizhou province.

Li was also fined 5 million yuan ($702,990). His illegal gains from bribery will be confiscated and turned over to the State treasury. Any shortfall will continue to be pursued, according to the court ruling.

An investigation found that, from August 2005 to March 2024, Li used various positions to help individuals and entities with business operations, project contracting and job promotions. In return, he accepted bribes totaling more than 100.25 million yuan, the court said.

The court determined that Li's actions constituted the crime of bribery involving an extraordinarily large amount. Considering the attempted nature of some of his offenses, his truthful confession after being apprehended, his voluntary disclosure of previously unknown details of bribery, his remorse and his proactive return of illicit gains, he was granted a lighter sentence.

Li, also a former member of the standing committee of the Communist Party of China Yunnan Provincial Committee, was previously expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office in December 2024, according to Xinhua news agency.

He had been under investigation since June 2024.