Wang Yong, a former vice-chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region’s government in China, has been handed a suspended death sentence over a massive bribery scandal involving 271 million yuan (approximately $37.8 million), according to a court ruling in Hunan Province.
The Chenzhou Intermediate People’s Court delivered the verdict, sentencing Wang to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes. The court also stripped him of his political rights for life and ordered the confiscation of all his personal assets. All illicit proceeds and associated gains will be transferred to the State treasury.
Between 2007 and 2023, Wang held multiple high-ranking roles, including director of the policy and regulations department at the Civil Aviation Administration of China’s Southwest Regional Bureau, Party secretary and director of the Civil Aviation Safety Supervision Bureau in Guizhou Province, and chairman of Guizhou Airport Group. In these positions, he allegedly used his authority to secure advantages for individuals and organizations, particularly in project contracts, in exchange for bribes.
The court described the scale of Wang’s corruption as “extremely severe,” noting the large sum of money involved and the significant harm caused to public assets and national interests.
However, the court acknowledged Wang’s cooperation, including his full confession, guilty plea, display of remorse, and the return of all illicit funds. These mitigating actions contributed to the more lenient sentence.
Wang’s trial took place on May 15 and was open to the public, with over 40 people in attendance. Prosecutors presented evidence, and Wang accepted responsibility, delivering a final statement in court.
In China, a suspended death sentence is usually commuted to life imprisonment if the convicted person demonstrates good behavior over the two-year probation period. Further sentence reductions may follow, depending on conduct.
