A former high-ranking Chinese official, Wang Yong, has been handed a suspended death sentence for accepting bribes worth more than 271 million yuan ($37.8 million).

Wang, who formerly served as the vice-chairman of the government of the Xizang Autonomous Region, was sentenced by the Chenzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Hunan Province. The court also ordered the confiscation of all his personal assets and stripped him of his political rights for life.

According to court records, between 2007 and 2023, Wang abused multiple influential positions—including Director of Policy and Regulations at the Civil Aviation Administration of China (Southwest), Party Secretary and Director of the Civil Aviation Safety Supervision Bureau in Guizhou, and Chairman of the Guizhou Airport Group—to secure illicit benefits for organizations and individuals in exchange for massive bribes tied to project contracts and administrative favors.

The court described his crimes as \"extremely serious,\" highlighting the scale of corruption and the \"significant damage to public interests\" his actions caused.

While the court handed Wang the death penalty with a two-year reprieve, his sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment if he demonstrates good behavior and commits no further offenses within the two-year period—a common legal practice in China.

In a bid for leniency, Wang confessed, pled guilty, and expressed remorse, actively cooperating with authorities to return all illicit gains, which the court confirmed have been fully recovered. These actions contributed to the decision to suspend the execution.

Wang’s trial, held publicly on May 15, drew more than 40 attendees. Prosecutors laid out comprehensive evidence, which Wang did not contest. He also delivered a final statement admitting guilt and expressing regret for his actions.

The case is the latest in China\'s ongoing anti-corruption drive, which has seen several top officials prosecuted and sentenced under President Xi Jinping’s sweeping campaign to clean up the Communist Party and public sector.