Ex-legislator given death with reprieve

Li Jinzhu, a former senior legislator in Shaanxi province, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Wednesday for taking bribes totaling more than 431 million yuan ($59 million), according to a court.

The Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong province ordered the confiscation of all of Li's personal assets, with his illicit gains, to be turned over to the state treasury, according to the report.

Between 2004 and 2023, Li used his positions — ranging from mayor of Yulin to vice-governor of Shaanxi and deputy head of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi People's Congress — to secure benefits for individuals and entities in business operations, project contracts and job promotions, the court found.

"The amount of bribes was extremely large, with severe circumstances and harmful social impact," the court said, adding that the offense warranted the death penalty.

However, the court considered Li's confession, his efforts to disclose previously unknown bribery incidents and his cooperation with investigators. These factors led to the decision to suspend his death sentence for two years, China Central Television reported.

Li, 69, a native of Hebei province, joined the Communist Party of China in 1976 and began his career in 1982. He worked in the coal industry for years before serving at the National Academy of Governance from 2001 to 2006. He later held various positions in Shaanxi, culminating in his role as deputy head of the provincial legislature in 2015.

In May last year, Li was placed under investigation for alleged serious violations of Party discipline and national law. By the end of the year, he was expelled from the Communist Party of China.

Liu Boqian contributed to this story.