Former Chinese Agriculture Minister Faces Death Penalty for Corruption

Tang Renjian, the former Minister of Agriculture in China, has been sentenced to death for accepting bribes. The court found him guilty of exploiting his position within the government from 2007 to 2024. He provided assistance with projects, business ventures, and employment in exchange for 268 million yuan (approximately 315 crore rupees) in bribes. The Changchun City court emphasized the significant harm Tang’s actions caused to the nation and its people, necessitating a severe penalty. However, due to his confession, remorse, and the return of the illicit funds, some leniency was granted. Tang has been given a two-year reprieve; good behavior could lead to the commutation of the death sentence to life imprisonment. The court confiscated his personal assets, and the bribe money has been returned to the state. He is also banned from political life. China has been engaged in a major anti-corruption drive since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012. This campaign, “Catching Ants and Tigers,” has targeted all levels of government officials. More than 1 million government officials have been caught in corruption cases. These cases involve officials from villages to ministers and senior military officers. Over 100 senior army officers have faced action. The campaign aims to clean up the government and the Communist Party, regain public trust, and eliminate corruption. Critics suggest that it has been used to target political opponents.