Former Xizang official handed suspended death sentence for bribery offences

Wang Yong, former vice-chairman of the government of the Xizang autonomous region, has been given a suspended death sentence for taking bribes, a court in Hunan province announced on Tuesday.

The Chenzhou Intermediate People's Court sentenced Wang to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery, along with deprivation of his political rights for life and confiscation of all his personal assets.

It also ordered that all of his illicit gains and related interests be turned over to the State treasury.

In China, a suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life in prison after two years if the inmate commits no further crimes. Life imprisonment can then be further reduced based on the inmate's behavior.

The court said that, from 2007 to 2023, Wang, took advantage of his various positions, including as director of the Policy and Regulations Department of the Civil Aviation Administration of Southwest China, Communist Party secretary and director of the Civil Aviation Safety Supervision Bureau of Guizhou province, and Party secretary and chairman of Guizhou Airport Group Co, as well as his time as commander of the third phase expansion project of Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, to seek benefits for organizations and individuals in areas such as project contracts.

In return, he accepted bribes worth over 271 million yuan ($37.7 million).

The court said Wang's offenses were extremely serious and the amount of bribes taken huge, causing great damage to public assets as well as the interests of the country and the people.

However, as Wang confessed to his crimes, pleaded guilty, showed remorse, and proactively returned his illegal gains in full, he was given a lenient punishment.

His case was heard publicly on May 15, with more than 40 people including national lawmakers, political advisers and journalists, attending the trial.

During the trial, the prosecution presented relevant evidence, and Wang admitted guilt and made a final statement in court.