Ex-official gets death for graft

The former top food and drug regulator was sentenced to death yesterday for taking bribes - amid government efforts to fight corruption and rebuild confidence in the safety of food and drugs.

Zheng Xiaoyu, 63, former director of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), was convicted of taking bribes in cash and gifts worth more than 6.49 million yuan ($850,000) as well as dereliction of duty, according to the first instance hearing of the Beijing Municipal No 1 Intermediate People's Court.

Zheng received the death penalty for the graft charge and 7 years imprisonment for the other. All his personal property was confiscated and he has been deprived of his political rights for life.