China’s Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuratorate have launched a significant offensive against financial corruption, publicizing six high-profile cases to demonstrate their strengthened resolve to safeguard the nation’s financial systems. The coordinated judicial action, announced on November 28, 2025, signals an escalated approach to combating economic crimes within China’s financial infrastructure.
In an unprecedented move, the judicial authorities imposed life imprisonment without parole for two major offenders convicted of massive financial crimes. One individual identified as Liu received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve—typically convertible to life imprisonment—but will instead face permanent incarceration without possibility of release. Liu was convicted of accepting bribes exceeding 180 million yuan ($25.44 million) and authorizing unrecoverable loans that caused substantial financial losses.
Similarly, another convict surnamed Wu received identical permanent imprisonment after being found guilty of accepting bribes totaling over 275 million yuan and embezzling more than 508 million yuan in public funds. The Supreme People’s Court emphasized that these severe sentences reflect the judiciary’s firm stance on punishing duty-related crimes in the financial sector.
The judicial authorities have directed nationwide legal bodies to intensify efforts against emerging forms of financial corruption while enhancing capabilities to detect concealed corruption networks spanning official and business circles. This comprehensive crackdown represents China’s latest strategic move to ensure financial stability and integrity within its rapidly evolving economic landscape.