Shang Liguang, former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Shanxi Provincial Committee, was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for taking bribes, according to the Luoyang Intermediate People's Court of Henan province.

Shang was deprived of political rights for life, and all his personal property was confiscated.

The court found that from 1999 to 2023, Shang took advantage of his various positions, including the mayor of Qinhuangdao in Hebei province and deputy secretary of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee, to assist certain individuals and companies in various matters, such as business operation, project contracting, case handling and work promotions, as well as accepting money and property totaling 104 million yuan ($14.25 million) in return.

The court said Shang's actions constituted the crime of accepting bribes involving a substantial sum. Acknowledging his major meritorious actions by confessing to all his crimes, disclosing some bribery facts unknown to the investigating authorities, pledging guilty, and actively returning all illicit gains, the court imposed a lenient punishment in accordance with the law.

Guo Yanqi contributed to this story.