Nation vows tougher crackdown on corruption in agriculture, rural fields

China's top judicial bodies have pledged to continue their rigorous anti-corruption campaign in agriculture and rural areas, emphasizing the fight against graft and the promotion of rural vitality.

On Friday, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate highlighted the urgent need to tackle corruption in the agricultural sector, noting its importance for advancing Chinese modernization and comprehensive rural vitalization.

"This year marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period. Judges and prosecutors should enhance oversight of national projects, including rural funds, assets, resources, healthcare funds and elder care services, and also need to implement measures to address issues in farmland development," the judicial bodies said in a joint statement.

Highlighting five landmark cases, the authorities reiterated the importance of imposing tougher penalties on corrupt individuals in agriculture, and of strengthening efforts to protect public interests.

In one case, a defendant surnamed Yang, a former deputy head of the poverty alleviation and development office in a Chongqing district, was sentenced to 10 years and three months in prison for bribery, fined 500,000 yuan ($72,536), and had his illicit gains confiscated.

Yang, who also held the position of deputy head of the rural vitalization bureau in the district, was found guilty of abusing his power between 2011 and 2023 by facilitating benefits for others in relation to project approvals, subsidy distributions and contracts concerning high-standard farmland, specialty agricultural bases and cold-chain processing. In return, he accepted bribes totaling more than 3.6 million yuan.

"This case exemplifies the judicial authorities' efforts to combat duty-related crimes in agricultural project construction. Yang, in key sector positions, exploited his authority for personal gain, severely undermining the implementation of agricultural policy and eroding the foundation for rural vitalization," the SPC said, adding that the ruling emphasized the pivotal role of industrial revitalization in rural development, which is essential for advancing agricultural modernization, increasing farmers' incomes and establishing livable rural communities.

In another case, a defendant surnamed Chu, a former deputy head of the agricultural machinery management bureau and deputy head of agriculture and rural affairs in a district in Huai'an, Jiangsu province, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison, and fined 570,000 yuan for bribery.

From 2015 to 2023, Chu was found to have provided benefits to departments and individuals in machinery sales and subsidy applications in exchange for bribes exceeding 4.39 million yuan.

"Regulating the agricultural machinery sales market and enhancing the use of modern agricultural machinery are vital for reducing farmers' costs, improving production efficiency, and accelerating agricultural and rural modernization," the SPC said.

It added that Chu's actions, which harmed farmers' interests and disrupted the machinery sales market, were met with severe punishment, reflecting a strong commitment to maintaining market order and supporting rural vitalization.

While stressing strict sentences, China's top judicial bodies also emphasized the importance of increasing economic penalties and intensifying efforts to recover and mitigate financial losses.