Former deputy head of China's quality watchdog sentenced to life in prison

Wei Chuanzhong, former deputy head of China's quality watchdog, was sentenced to life in prison Friday on charges of bribery by the Intermediate People's Court of Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province.

Wei, former deputy director of the now-defunct General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and former president of the China Inspection and Testing Society, was ordered by the court to have all his personal assets confiscated and turn over all illicit gains and their interests to the national treasury.

The court found that between 2001 and 2019, Wei used his various positions to seek benefits for organizations and individuals in obtaining industrial licenses, project biddings and personnel promotions, and in return illegally accepted money and goods worth over 123 million yuan (about US$17.35 million).

Wei was given a lenient punishment since he confessed to his crimes, pled guilty, showed repentance, and voluntarily surrendered part of his illicit gains, said the court.