Former China Merchants Group deputy GM Li Baian prosecuted for bribery

Li Baian, former deputy general manager of China Merchants Group, has been prosecuted on charges of accepting bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced on Tuesday.

The case was investigated by the National Commission of Supervision before being transferred to prosecutors for review and prosecution. After the Supreme People's Procuratorate designated the case to Shandong prosecutors, the Shandong Provincial People's Procuratorate approved Li's arrest on suspicion of bribery. The Yantai People's Procuratorate recently filed charges against him with the Yantai Intermediate People's Court.

Prosecutors stated that Li exploited his previous positions — including those at China State Construction Engineering Corporation and China Merchants Group, as well as the influence derived from his authority and status — to seek benefits for organizations and individuals through the actions of other state functionaries and illegally accepted an especially large amount of money and valuables in return.

During the review and prosecution process, prosecutors informed Li of his legal rights, questioned him, and heard opinions from his defense counsel.

Li, 61, is a native of Jiangsu province. He previously served as vice-president of China State Construction Engineering Corporation. At the end of 2019, he joined the Party committee of China Merchants Group, later serving as deputy general manager and general counsel of the group. In April 2023, he was appointed executive deputy director of the administrative committee of the Qianhai and Shekou area of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone in Shenzhen. He was placed under investigation in November 2025. Li was expelled from the Communist Party of China in May this year.

Anti-graft authorities previously reported that Li resisted organizational investigation, accepted banquets and entertainment arrangements in violation of relevant rules, sought benefits for others in employee recruitment and promotions, and illegally accepted money and valuables. Authorities also stated that he improperly accepted gifts and cash and engaged in inappropriate relationships involving sex and power. They said Li abused his authority over construction projects for personal gain, engaged in power-for-money deals, and used his positions to help others secure project contracts and settle payments in exchange for large sums of money and valuables.