Justice in China: Former official sentenced to 15 years in prison for massive corruption
China’s judicial system has handed down an exemplary sentence against Yu Wenming, who served as the director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Tianjin Number 1 Intermediate People’s Court determined a 15-year prison sentence after finding him guilty of receiving bribes exceeding 63.44 million yuan, equivalent to approximately 8.9 million dollars.
In addition to the deprivation of liberty, the former official must face a financial fine of 6 million yuan (nearly 840,000 dollars). The court ruling also contemplates the total confiscation of assets acquired through illicit activities, which will be transferred to the State.
Corruption plot details
According to investigations, Yu’s illegal practices lasted for more than a decade, spanning from 2009 to February 2021. During this time, the former official used his position of power and political influence to favor third parties in critical administrative processes, such as:
- Approval of sanitary registrations for medicines.
- Management and renewal of pharmaceutical product registration certificates.
The court considered that, despite the magnitude of the bribes, the sentence was mitigated due to the defendant’s voluntary confession, the remorse shown during the proceedings, and the full restitution of the assets obtained irregularly.
Context of the anti-corruption fight
Yu Wenming, who led the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine between 2018 and 2023, was placed under scrutiny by the National Supervisory Commission in mid-2025. Following an exhaustive investigation, the case was transferred to the Prosecutor’s Office for the formal filing of charges last April.
This ruling is part of the ambitious anti-corruption campaign initiated by President Xi Jinping in 2012. This government strategy has the primary objective of purging state institutions and strengthening the internal discipline of the Communist Party of China, confronting what the leader has categorized as the most significant threat to the political stability and integrity of the country.
