China has executed Li Jianping, the former party chief of an economic development zone in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, for corruption charges totaling approximately 3 billion yuan ($412 million), Bloomberg reports.
The execution, reported by Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday, highlights the intensifying anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by President Xi Jinping.
Li, 64, was initially sentenced to death in September 2022 for bribery, misuse of public funds, and collusion with a criminal syndicate. His appeal was rejected in August, and the Supreme People’s Court subsequently approved the death sentence. Xinhua reported that Li was allowed to spend time with his family before his execution.
The use of the death penalty for corruption is uncommon in China. While such sentences are handed down, they are often commuted to life imprisonment after a two-year reprieve, contingent on good behavior. Li’s execution underscores the severity of his crimes and the unwavering determination of the Xi administration to combat corruption within the Communist Party.
This execution comes amidst President Xi’s sweeping anti-corruption drive, which has ensnared a record number of high-ranking officials over the past two years. This crackdown extends to the military, with recent targets including high-ranking officers and generals, even those previously considered loyal to Xi. The recent targeting of Miao Hua, a long-time Xi loyalist and member of the Central Military Commission, further demonstrates the far-reaching scope of the ongoing purge.
