Chinese court hands 15-year prison term to former Gansu vice-governor

A Chinese court has sentenced Zhao Jinyun, former vice-governor of Gansu province, to 15 years in prison for bribery and insider trading, state broadcaster China Central Television reported.

Zhao received 13 years for accepting bribes and an additional five years for engaging in insider trading. The court imposed a combined sentence of 15 years and ordered her to pay a fine of 3.5 million yuan (approximately $500,000).

In addition, all illegally obtained funds and the interest accrued thereon have been confiscated and transferred to the state treasury.

Public information shows that Zhao, 59, a native of Gansu, joined the Jiusan Society in 1999, and had worked in her home province before she was placed under the supervisory investigation in October.

In December 2022, she became the provincial vice-governor. Last April, she was dismissed from public office.

Previous investigations found that Zhao reportedly engaged in a series of illegal activities, including accepting banquets that could affect the impartial exercise of public power, failing to truly report personal matters, seeking benefits for others in the selection and appointment of officials and accepting gifts and money.

She also allegedly engaged in profit-making activities in violation of regulations and used her position to seek benefits for others in project contracting and fund allocation, illegally accepting huge amounts of money and gifts.

By Vafa Guliyeva