Li Xiangang, a former high-ranking official in Heilongjiang Province, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for bribery and embezzlement, as reported by China Central Television. The court also stripped Li of his political rights for life and confiscated all his personal property. The illicit gains from his crimes were forfeited to the state treasury, and the embezzled funds are to be returned to the affected organizations. From 2006 to 2024, Li exploited his various positions, including mayor and Party secretary of Shuangyashan city, secretary-general of the Heilongjiang Provincial Government, and deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Congress, to provide undue advantages to businesses and individuals in exchange for bribes totaling 117 million yuan ($16.46 million). Additionally, in 2009 and 2012, Li embezzled public assets worth over 1.68 million yuan through fraudulent property transactions. The court noted the severity of his crimes and their detrimental impact on public trust. However, due to Li’s confession, remorse, and restitution of illegal gains, he was granted a more lenient sentence. The case was publicly tried on May 22, with prosecutors presenting substantial evidence. Li admitted to his crimes in his final statement.