Li Chunliang, the former deputy director of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration, has been formally indicted on charges of bribery and influence peddling according to an official announcement from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. The case represents another significant development in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
The Dezhou People’s Procuratorate in Shandong Province has been designated to handle the prosecution, which has now been formally submitted to the Dezhou Intermediate People’s Court. The case underwent initial investigation by the National Commission of Supervision before being transferred to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution.
Prosecutors allege that Li exploited his numerous former positions of authority, including senior roles within the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Organization Department and his leadership capacity at both the former State Forestry Administration and its successor organization, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The indictment claims he provided improper benefits to associates in exchange for substantial monetary payments and valuable assets.
Additionally, the prosecution maintains that even after leaving public office, Li continued to leverage his residual influence from previous government positions. He allegedly manipulated other public officials to secure improper advantages for third parties while accepting particularly large sums of money and valuable property in return.
During the judicial review process, prosecutors followed standard procedural protocols by informing Li of his legal rights, conducting formal questioning, and consulting with his defense team. The 63-year-old Hebei native, who joined the Communist Party in March 1984, held his forestry administration position from December 2016 through his 2023 retirement. Following his retirement, Li was elected president of the China Wildlife Conservation Association in December 2023.
His fall from grace began with a disciplinary investigation in May 2025, culminating in his expulsion from the Communist Party in November of that year. The case demonstrates China’s continued commitment to investigating corruption both during and after officials’ public service tenure.