Tang Renjian, former Party chief and minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, stands trial at Changchun Intermediate People's Court in Northeast China's Jilin Province. Photo: CCTV News

The Changchun Intermediate People's Court in Northeast China's Jilin Province publicly announced on Sunday a first-instance verdict in the case of Tang Renjian, former Party chief and minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, sentencing him to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting massive bribes, according to state broadcaster CCTV news.

Tang was also deprived of political rights for life, and all his personal property will be confiscated. Illicit assets recovered in the case will be turned over to the state treasury, while any shortfall will continue to be pursued, said the report.

The court found that, between 2007 and 2024, Tang took advantage of his positions —including as deputy head of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, deputy head and later head of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, vice chairman of South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, deputy Party chief and governor of Northwest China's Gansu Province, and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs — to assist certain entities and individuals in business operations, securing project contracts, and obtaining job adjustments.

During the period, he directly or through others accepted money and property worth more than 268 million yuan ($36.9 million), per the report.

The court ruled that Tang's actions constituted the crime of bribery, with a particularly large amount involved and causing particularly heavy losses to the state and the people's interests. The offense warranted the death penalty.

However, given Tang truthfully confessed after being investigated, disclosed most of the facts not yet known to the investigators, expressed remorse, and actively returned illicit assets, with most of the funds have been recovered, the court handed down a death sentence with a two-year reprieve in accordance with legally prescribed and discretionary leniency circumstances, the CCTV News report said.

The trial was held publicly on July 25, 2025, during which prosecutors presented evidence, and Tang and his defense team cross-examined it. Both sides fully expressed their views under the court's supervision. In his final statement, Tang pleaded guilty and expressed repentance, according to the CCTV News.

More than 40 individuals, including NPC deputies, CPPCC members, and members of the public, observed the legal proceedings, the report said.

Global Times