Customs ex-official sentenced for bribery

Sun Yuning, former member of the Party Leadership Group and deputy director of China's General Administration of Customs, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for bribery by the Hefei Intermediate People's Court in Anhui province on Wednesday. The court found that between 2005 and 2024, Sun abused his positions to seek benefits for certain companies and individuals in matters such as business operations, project contracting and promotions. In return, he accepted property either directly or through third parties, with the total value exceeding 50.72 million yuan ($7.2 million), the court said.

Xizang ex-chair on trial for power abuse

Qi Zhala, former senior political adviser and former chairman of the government of the Xizang autonomous region, has been prosecuted for suspected bribery and abuse of power, China's top procuratorate said on Wednesday. Qi has exploited the convenience and conditions created by his various positions of power and authority to seek benefits for others and illegally accepted substantial amounts of property from others. The amount involved is particularly large, and he should be held criminally responsible for bribery according to the law, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said in a statement.

Deadly blaze claims 12 lives in Guangdong

A total of 12 people were killed in a residential building fire on Tuesday night in Shantou, Guangdong province, local authorities said on Wednesday. The blaze erupted at around 9:20 pm in the city's Chaonan district and was extinguished by around 10 pm, according to the district's fire department. Preliminary investigations show that the building was a four-story, self-built concrete structure. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

China Daily - Xinhua