Former Chinese Agriculture Minister Sentenced to Death with Reprieve for $38M Bribery

Beijing, China — Sept. 29, 2025 — China’s former Minister of Agriculture, Tang Renjian, has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting more than 268 million yuan ($38 million) in bribes over a 17-year period, according to a statement released Sunday by the People’s Court of Changchun in Jilin province.

The court said Tang’s crimes were “particularly severe,” causing major losses to state and public interests. Although the sentence includes a two-year reprieve — a common practice in China that can lead to life imprisonment if the individual demonstrates good behavior — the ruling underscores the government’s zero-tolerance stance on high-level corruption.

Tang was found guilty of accepting bribes in both cash and property from 2007 to 2024, while serving in various government roles including governor of Gansu province and vice chairman of the Guangxi autonomous region.

The court noted that Tang had confessed to his crimes and expressed remorse, which was taken into consideration during sentencing.

His conviction marks the latest development in President Xi Jinping’s wide-reaching anti-corruption campaign, which has ensnared numerous top officials in recent years. While supporters of the campaign argue it strengthens governance and accountability, critics contend it also serves as a political tool to eliminate rivals and tighten Xi’s control over the Communist Party.

Tang’s sentencing follows a string of similar cases, including the downfall of former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, both of whom were investigated for graft. Li was removed from office after just seven months and later expelled from the Communist Party. His successor, Dong Jun, is also reportedly under investigation.

The ruling against Tang highlights Beijing’s continued crackdown on corruption at the highest levels of government, a cornerstone of Xi’s leadership since taking power in 2012.