China energy official sentenced to life for graft

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

BEIJING, Sep 9 (Reuters) A former head of a Chinese state-run energy company has been sentenced to life in prison for taking 1.3 million dollar in bribe, state media reported today.

Zhang Shaocang, 55, was the latest government official to be punished in recent months as China's leaders step up a public fight against graft and abuse ahead of the five-yearly Communist Party Congress next month.

Zhang was found guilty of giving import permits and loans in return for bribes when he worked at the economic planning body of eastern Anhui province, and also as head of Anhui Energy Group Company, Xinhua reported.

Zhang was also found to have plagiarised his four-page ''letter of apology'' during his corruption trial, with his sentiments strikingly similar to those of a disgraced former party chief in southwestern Sichuan province.

Top Chinese officials have warned that the level of official corruption is so serious that it could threaten the Communist Party's continuing rule.

A Hong Kong newspaper said yesterday that former finance minister Jin Renqing, sacked last month in part for a dalliance with a local socialite, had been detained. A government spokesmam earlier said he had resigned for ''personal reasons.'' Last week, a senior provincial Communist Party official was executed for blowing up his mistress with a car bomb.

REUTERS RS PM1405

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