On October 20, 2026, the Xiangyang Intermediate People's Court in Hubei Province publicly delivered its verdict in the bribery case of Yang Xiaowei, former deputy director of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, sentencing the defendant Yang Xiaowei to twelve years in prison for the crime of accepting bribes, along with a fine of 3 million yuan; the confiscated bribery proceeds and their accrued interest were ordered to be turned over to the state treasury in accordance with the law.
According to the court's findings, between 2004 and 2025, the defendant Yang Xiaowei took advantage of his positions as deputy general manager of China United Telecommunications Corporation, deputy general manager and general manager of China Telecom Corporation Limited (ASX: 601728), deputy director of the National Radio and Television Administration, and deputy director of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC, as well as the conveniences created by his authority or status, to provide assistance to relevant units and individuals in matters such as obtaining investments, project bidding, and engineering contracting, directly or through his relatives illegally accepting property totaling more than 33.19 million yuan.
The Xiangyang Intermediate People's Court held that the defendant Yang Xiaowei's actions constituted the crime of accepting bribes, with an especially large amount involved, and that he should be punished in accordance with the law. Given that Yang Xiaowei truthfully confessed his crimes after being apprehended, took the initiative to disclose the vast majority of bribery facts not yet known to the supervisory authorities, pleaded guilty and showed remorse, actively returned the illicit gains, and that all bribery proceeds and their accrued interest had been fully recovered, there were statutory and discretionary circumstances warranting leniency, and a lighter punishment could be imposed in accordance with the law. The court accordingly handed down the above sentence.
It is reported that the Xiangyang Intermediate People's Court held a public hearing of the case on June 25, 2026. During the trial, the procuratorial authorities presented relevant evidence, the defendant Yang Xiaowei and his defense counsel conducted cross-examination, both the prosecution and defense fully expressed their opinions under the presiding judge, and Yang Xiaowei made a final statement, pleading guilty and expressing remorse in court. More than 20 people, including deputies to the National People's Congress, members of the CPPCC, and citizens from various sectors, attended the trial.
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