Shocking Verdict: China's Former Agriculture Minister Faces Death Penalty in Bribery ScandalBeijing, September 28, 2025

Shocking Verdict: China's Former Agriculture Minister Faces Death Penalty in Bribery ScandalBeijing, September 28, 2025 

 In a dramatic escalation of China's anti-corruption campaign, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian has been sentenced to death with a two-year Temporary relief by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court in Jilin province. The formal judgement, announced today, accuses Tang of accepting bribes totaling over 268 million yuan—roughly $38 million—in a scandal that spanned nearly two decades. This ruling highlights President Xi Jinping's relentless drive to root out graft among high-ranking officials, potentially destabilizing the agricultural sector that feeds 1.4 billion people.Tang served as minister from 2020 until his dismissal in May 2024, following a probe by the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. His removal from the party came in November 2024, paving the way for a swift trial in July 2025. The case has captivated the nation, raising questions about trust in public servants and the fragility of power in Beijing's corridors

.What Led Him to Such Acts

Tang's corruption was no impulsive act but a slow erosion driven by ambition and opportunity. Hailing from humble origins in Gansu province, where he rose through local governance from 2017 to 2020, Tang wielded immense influence over subsidies, land reforms, and crop approvals—arenas teeming with trillion-yuan potential. From 2007 onward, he succumbed to greed, viewing bribes as a means to amass wealth beyond his modest salary and secure his legacy. Analysts suggest structural flaws, like unchecked authority in the one-party state, amplified this, with Tang rationalizing payoffs as "favor exchanges" amid peers' own indulgences. Xi's 2012 purge nabbed millions, yet for Tang, the fear of obsolescence or retirement poverty proved too tempting, mirroring scandals involving defense chiefs like Li Shangfu.

How Was He Sentenced

The process exemplified China's efficient, party-guided justice. Suspicion arose in May 2024, triggering a discreet investigation. By July 25, 2025, a one-day closed trial unfolded, presenting ironclad evidence: ledgers, testimonies, and seized assets. Tang's full confession and tearful remorse swayed the judges, who—without juries—decreed the bribes "exceptionally grave" for eroding public faith. The death sentence, suspended for two years, is a calibrated deterrent; compliance could reduce it to life imprisonment, as in most similar cases.

What Was His Aim

Tang's scheme was strategic: bribes bought loyalty and career boosts. He rigged tenders, expedited promotions, and greenlit deals, imaging a web of guanxi (connections) for influence. For recipients, it slashed complex administrative system; for Tang, it meant villas and security. Yet, it sabotaged rural aid, hiking costs and breeding inefficiency in food production.Final JudgementThe court convicted Tang of massive bribery, inflicting "irreparable national damage." Penalty: death deferred two years, lifetime political deprivation, asset forfeiture, and full restitution. His cooperation earned the reprieve, signaling mercy's limits.

Public Reactions

The news exploded on X (formally known as Twitter), blending wonder and envy. Nigerians compared it with their mercy, one post pleading for EFCC to "emulate China." Pakistanis envisioned purges of elites, while Indians hailed the "swift justice." Debates moved in a circular on prevention versus cruelty, with global users questioning if zero-tolerance could curb worldwide graft.

In Conclusion

Tang's demise spotlights China's graft battle: a win for accountability, yet a scar on its bureaucracy. Farmers may cheer, but skepticism lingers. As the clock ticks, this verdict warns elites everywhere—power's price is steep, and the world watches hungrily for reform.

 Click to watch video 

News Source; Punch newspaper,TRTafrica, Shanghai daily