Former Shaanxi official sentenced in bribery case

Qian Yin'an, former member of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for taking bribes by a court in South China's Guangdong province on Tuesday.

The Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court also ordered Qian, also the former secretary-general of the provincial committee in Shaanxi province, to pay a fine of 5 million yuan ($710,651), adding all property gained from the bribery would be turned over to the national treasury.

Qian said he would not appeal to a higher court.

From 2001 to 2007, Qian used his power in multiple positions in Shaanxi province to help relevant departments and individuals in contracting projects, advancing construction and gaining job promotions.

In return, he received bribes worth more than 63 million yuan.

Li committed the crime of bribery by taking huge amounts of bribes and deserved punishment, the court said.

"But given that he pleaded guilty, turned over his illicit gains and played a key role in uncovering other crimes, we penalized him leniently," the court added.

Last November, Qian was placed under investigation for serious violations of Party disciplinary rules and laws last November by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission.

He was arrested on suspicion of taking bribes in May.