On April 24, 2026, the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court publicly announced the verdict in the case of Chen Demei, former Vice President of Saic Motor Corporation Limited, for accepting bribes and illegally profiting for relatives. The court sentenced Chen Demei to 11 years and 6 months in prison for bribery, along with a fine of RMB 3 million, and to 1 year and 6 months for illegally profiting for relatives, with an additional fine of RMB 500,000. The combined sentence is 12 years of imprisonment and a total fine of RMB 3.5 million. All illicit gains and proceeds from the crimes are to be confiscated and turned over to the state treasury.
The court found that between 2007 and 2023, Chen Demei exploited his positions—including roles as General Manager of Shanghai Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Vice President of Saic Motor Corporation Limited, and Chairman of Anji Automotive Logistics Co., Ltd.—to assist certain entities and individuals in increasing business shares, securing projects, and facilitating corporate operations. In return, he accepted bribes totaling over RMB 29.46 million.
Additionally, from 2013 to 2017, Chen used his authority as Vice President of Saic Motor Corporation Limited to arrange for a company controlled by his son to undertake related business at prices significantly above market rates, resulting in illegal profits of RMB 5 million.
The court determined that Chen Demei’s actions constituted the crimes of bribery and illegally profiting for relatives, with the bribery amount being particularly large, warranting combined punishment for multiple offenses. Considering that Chen truthfully confessed to some of the bribery facts known to investigators and voluntarily disclosed most of the bribery facts not previously known, demonstrated a cooperative attitude, actively returned illicit gains, and pleaded guilty, the court rendered a lenient sentence in accordance with the law.
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