A Chinese court sentenced Tang Yijin, former Minister of Justice, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of accepting bribes totaling as much as 620 million baht over a period of more than 16 years.
On 2 February 2026, the Xiamen Intermediate People's Court in eastern China sentenced Tang Yijin, former Minister of Justice, to life imprisonment after ruling he was guilty of accepting bribes worth approximately 620 million baht over more than 16 years.
The court statement said Tang, aged 64, who served as Minister of Justice from 2020 to 2023, abused his authority during various posts, including as former governor of Liaoning Province and former Communist Party secretary of Ningbo city, to seek benefits for multiple individuals and organizations.
The court noted that between 2006 and 2022, Tang accepted bribes totaling 137 million yuan, about 620 million baht, in exchange for assistance such as helping companies register on the stock exchange, securing bank loans, acquiring land, and facilitating key projects. The court highlighted that the bribe amounts were extremely high and caused serious harm to the interests of the state and the public.
Tang's case is part of the large-scale anti-corruption crackdown launched by President Xi Jinping since he took office in 2012.
Source: CNA