Maldives Insight

BEIJING – Former Chinese Justice Minister Tang Yijun was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday (2 February 2026) by the Xiamen Intermediate People’s Court after being found guilty of accepting approximately US$20 million (137 million yuan) in bribes over a 16-year period.

The court in eastern China stated that Mr. Tang, 64, abused the authority of his various positions between 2006 and 2022 to secure benefits for multiple entities and individuals. These benefits included assisting with initial public offerings, facilitating bank loans, and aiding in land acquisitions.

Broader Anti-Corruption Campaign

Mr. Tang’s conviction is the latest in President Xi Jinping’s extensive anti-corruption campaign, which commenced in 2012. Critics of the campaign have suggested it also serves as a means to neutralise potential political opposition.

During his career, Mr. Tang held prominent roles, including Justice Minister from 2020 to 2023, Governor of Liaoning province, and head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the city of Ningbo.

Mitigating Factors and Related Cases

Despite the “particularly high” amount of bribes, which the court deemed to have caused “extremely serious damage to the interests of the state and the people,” mitigating circumstances were acknowledged. The court noted that Mr. Tang confessed following his arrest, expressed remorse, pleaded guilty, and cooperated with the investigation.

This case follows another high-profile corruption conviction involving a former Chinese justice minister, Fu Zhenghua, who received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve in 2022, subsequently commuted to life imprisonment. Additionally, authorities announced an anti-corruption probe last month concerning General Zhang Youxia, the highest-ranking military figure to face such an investigation in recent decades.