China’s former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tang Renjian, has been handed a death sentence with a two-year reprieve after being convicted of massive corruption.
A court in Jilin Province delivered the ruling on Sunday, September 28, marking another high-profile case in President Xi Jinping’s relentless anti-graft campaign.
According to the People’s Court of Changchun, Tang accepted cash and property bribes worth more than 268 million yuan ($38 million) between 2007 and 2024.
The court ruled that his conduct caused “particularly severe losses to the state and the people,” which justified the death penalty.
However, judges cited his confession, remorse, and cooperation with investigators as grounds for granting him a suspended execution.
Under Chinese law, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve is often commuted to life imprisonment if the offender demonstrates good behavior while serving time.
Tang’s conviction comes amid Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption drive, which has targeted both civilian and military officials.
Supporters say the crackdown helps restore discipline within the Communist Party and strengthens governance, while critics argue it doubles as a tool for consolidating Xi’s power and sidelining political opponents.
Tang, 62, held several senior roles before his downfall.
He previously served as governor of Gansu Province and as vice chairman of the Guangxi region, rising through the political ranks before becoming agriculture minister in 2020.
His fall echoes the fates of other senior figures, including former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, who were forced out over graft allegations.
Li was expelled from the Communist Party earlier this year for suspected bribery, while his successor, Dong Jun, is reportedly under investigation.
The ruling underscores Beijing’s commitment to punishing corruption at the highest levels, but it also raises questions about the balance between justice and political maneuvering in Xi’s China.