A Chinese court has sentenced former senior official Yang Youlin to death after finding him guilty of accepting more than 2.2 billion yuan (about $325 million) in bribes over a period of 30 years. The court also convicted him of embezzlement, abuse of power, and money laundering, making it one of the country’s biggest corruption cases in recent years.
Yang, 69, held several leadership positions in Nanjing between 1993 and 2023. During that time, prosecutors said he used his authority to help businesses and individuals secure engineering contracts, land transfers, and financial support. In return, he accepted large amounts of cash and valuable gifts.
Court Says Crimes Caused Major Losses
The ruling was announced by a court in Changzhou, which described Yang’s crimes as extremely serious. Judges said his actions caused significant financial losses to the state and damaged public interests.
Although Yang cooperated with investigators and provided information during the investigation, the court ruled that the seriousness of his crimes outweighed his assistance. As a result, he did not qualify for a reduced sentence.
Part of China’s Anti Corruption Campaign
Yang’s case is part of President Xi Jinping’s long running anti corruption campaign. Since taking office, Xi has launched several nationwide investigations targeting corruption in government departments, the military, and the financial sector.
Supporters of the campaign say it has helped fight widespread corruption and improve government accountability. However, critics argue that some investigations have also been used to remove political opponents.
Death Penalties in Major Corruption Cases
China rarely hands down death sentences for financial crimes. Several high profile officials have received similar punishments in recent years. Former finance executive Lai Xiaomin was executed in 2021 after accepting around 1.8 billion yuan in bribes over a decade.
In many other corruption cases, courts issue suspended death sentences or life imprisonment instead of immediate execution. Some convicted officials also receive lighter punishments after helping investigators uncover additional crimes.
Strong Warning Against Corruption
The verdict against Yang Youlin highlights China’s strict approach to large scale corruption. The case also shows that officials involved in major financial crimes can face the country’s harshest legal penalties, especially when courts believe their actions caused serious harm to national interests.
