Tang Renjian, the former Minister of Agriculture in China, has been sentenced to death following charges of bribery. The accusations against Tang involve the misuse of his authority during his tenure in government, spanning from 2007 to 2024. He is alleged to have accepted bribes totaling 268 million yuan (around 315 crore rupees) in exchange for assisting individuals with projects, business ventures, and job placements. The Changchun City court underscored the severe damage Tang’s corruption caused to the nation and its populace, justifying the harsh penalty. Nevertheless, the court considered his confession, expressions of remorse, and the return of the illegal funds, which led to a degree of leniency. Tang has been granted a two-year reprieve, meaning his death sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment if he maintains good conduct. Additionally, the court has seized his personal assets and deposited the bribe money into the state treasury. He is also permanently banned from holding any political office. Since 2012, when Xi Jinping assumed power, China has been conducting an extensive anti-corruption campaign. This campaign, often referred to as “Catching Ants and Tigers,” targets all levels of government, from low-ranking officials to high-level leaders and military officers. Over a million government officials have been implicated in corruption cases during this campaign. The campaign includes scrutiny of village-level officials, ministers, and numerous senior military officers, with actions against more than a hundred senior army officers. The stated objectives are to cleanse the government and the Communist Party, restore public trust, and eliminate corruption. However, there are suggestions that the campaign has also served to eliminate political rivals.
China’s Ex-Agriculture Minister Receives Death Sentence Amidst Anti-Corruption Drive
