Former Xizang Party Chief Sentenced to Death for Bribery

Wu Yingjie, the former Party chief of the Xizang autonomous region, received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve on Wednesday. The Beijing court announced the sentence for accepting bribes that totaled over 343 million yuan.

In addition to the death sentence, Wu was stripped of his political rights for life, and all of his personal assets were seized. The court ordered that his illegal gains and any related interest be transferred to the State treasury. Under Chinese law, a suspended death sentence usually converts to life imprisonment if the individual does not commit further crimes during the two-year probation period. The sentence can be further reduced for good conduct.

The court's findings revealed that from June 2006 to February 2021, Wu exploited his positions in Xizang, including Party secretary and vice-chairman of the regional government. He sought benefits for various departments and individuals in matters such as project contracting and business operations. In exchange, he accepted bribes exceeding 343 million yuan.

The court determined that a death sentence was warranted due to the substantial amount of bribes received and the significant negative impact his offenses had on society. However, the court showed leniency, citing Wu's confession, his provision of information about other individuals suspected of illegal activities, his voluntary reporting of previously unknown bribes, and his active return of illicit gains. The court also considered that he did not receive some of the bribe money he had anticipated.

Wu, a 68-year-old native of Shandong province, began his career in October 1974 and joined the Communist Party of China in May 1987. He held various positions in Xizang for many years. He also served as deputy head of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the National People's Congress.

Before the investigation began in June 2024, Wu was a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, heading its Committee on Cultural, Historical Data and Studies. He was expelled from the Party and removed from public office at the end of the previous year. In March, he was indicted on bribery charges, and his case was publicly heard later that month.