Ji Binchang, a former senior municipal political adviser in Qingdao, Shandong province was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for taking more than 526 million yuan ($72.07 million) in bribes during the first-instance verdict announced at the Wuxi Intermediate People's Court on Friday, CCTV News reported. In addition, he was deprived of political rights for life and had all his personal assets confiscated.

From 2003 to 2022, Ji was found to have taken advantage of his various work posts, including deputy head of the Shandong Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, and vice-governor of Shandong, to seek profits for individuals and departments in business operations and project contracting and take bribes in return, said the court.

The court determined that Ji's actions constituted a severe case of bribery, with an exceptionally large amount of illicit gains, which has caused substantial losses to the country and its people. Acknowledging his partial cooperation during the investigation, where he confessed to his crimes, expressed remorse, and actively returned embezzled funds and assets, the court considered mitigating factors in his sentencing.? As a result, despite the death penalty, the execution allows for a two-year reprieve.