In a significant judicial ruling underscoring China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, Chen Shaorong, a former high-ranking official from Guizhou province, has been sentenced to 11 years and three months imprisonment for bribery offenses. The Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Intermediate People’s Court delivered the first-instance verdict on Tuesday, marking another milestone in the nation’s systematic crackdown on corrupt practices within public office.
The court established that Chen, previously serving as deputy director of the Legal Affairs Committee under the Standing Committee of the Guizhou Provincial People’s Congress, systematically abused his official authority over nearly two decades. From 2005 through 2024, he leveraged multiple influential positions—including vice-mayor of Liupanshui, executive vice-mayor of Guiyang, and Party secretary of Anshun—to illicitly benefit organizations and individuals across various sectors.
His corrupt activities primarily involved facilitating preferential treatment in coal mine operations, project contracting assignments, and personnel promotion decisions. In exchange for these unlawful services, Chen accepted bribes exceeding 22.07 million yuan (approximately $3.16 million), alongside additional illegal gains surpassing 100,000 yuan worth of valuables and benefits.
The judiciary noted the exceptionally large sum involved warranted severe punishment under Chinese criminal law. However, the court acknowledged mitigating factors including Chen’s confession, voluntary disclosure of bribery offenses, and active restitution of illicit proceeds. These cooperative actions qualified him for legally prescribed sentence reductions.
In addition to imprisonment, the court imposed a substantial financial penalty of 1.3 million yuan ($186,000) and ordered complete confiscation of all illicit assets and associated interest, which will be transferred to the state treasury. Any outstanding amounts are subject to continued legal recovery procedures.
Following the verdict announcement, Chen formally accepted the judgment in open court and declared he would not pursue an appeal, concluding a high-profile case that demonstrates China’s sustained determination to combat corruption at all governmental levels.