Wu Yingjie, the former Communist Party chief of Xizang autonomous region, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes totaling more than 343 million yuan ($47.78 million), a Beijing court announced on Wednesday.

Wu was also deprived of his political rights for life, and all his personal assets were confiscated. His illicit gains and related interest will be turned over to the state treasury, according to the ruling from the Beijing No 3 Intermediate People's Court.

In China, a suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life in prison if the inmate commits no further crimes during the two-year probation period. The sentence can be reduced further for good behavior.

The court found that from June 2006 to February 2021, Wu used his positions in Xizang, including as Party secretary and vice-chairman of the regional government, to seek benefits for departments and individuals in matters such as project contracting and business operations. In return, he accepted bribes worth more than 343 million yuan.

The court said Wu should be sentenced to death because the sum of his bribes was "extremely large" and the circumstances of his offenses were "extremely serious," bringing "extremely negative" effects to society and causing "extremely significant" losses to the interests of the country and the people.

However, the court said it showed leniency because Wu disclosed others' suspected illegal activities, made unsuccessful bribery attempts, voluntarily reported bribes unknown to investigators, confessed to his crimes and actively returned his illicit gains.

Wu, 68, a 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 decades.

He also served as deputy head of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, between October 2021 and March 2023.

Prior to his investigation in June 2024, he was a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, serving as head of its Committee on Cultural, Historical Data and Studies.

At the end of last year, he was expelled from the Party and removed from public office. In March, he was indicted on bribery charges, and his case was publicly heard in late March.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn