Former Beijing Automotive Group chairman receives suspended death sentence

Xu Heyi, former chairman of Beijing Automotive Group, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery and money laundering by a Beijing court on Monday.

The Beijing No 3 Intermediate People's Court announced that Xu received a suspended death sentence for bribery, though the exact amount of the bribes was not disclosed. Additionally, Xu was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 200,000 yuan ($29,786) for money laundering, but the court did not specify the amount involved in this charge.

The court combined the sentences, ultimately imposing the death penalty with a two-year reprieve. Xu was also stripped of his political rights for life, and his personal assets were confiscated. His illicit gains and associated interests were seized and will be turned over to the state treasury, according to the ruling.

Public records indicate that Xu, 68, a native of Beijing, began his career in March 1976. Before leading Beijing Automotive Group, he held various positions at Shougang Group, one of China's largest steelmakers and industrial conglomerates, and worked for several Beijing municipal bureaus, including those focused on economy and industry. He was once awarded the National May 1 Labor Medal. Xu was placed under investigation in March 2023.