Ex-deputy of watchdog gets life in jail for bribery

Wei Chuanzhong, former deputy head of China's quality watchdog, was sentenced to life in prison for bribery, according to a ruling made by the Chenzhou Intermediate People's Court in Hunan province on Friday.

As he was given life imprisonment, Wei, who served as deputy director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine, was also deprived of the political right for life and all of his properties were confiscated, the ruling said.

The court identified the defendant made use of his work position to seek benefits of more than 120 million yuan ($17 million) from 2001 to 2019.

All of his illicit gains and related interests have been seized and turned over to the State treasury, the court added.

Wei stood at trial and pleaded guilty to bribery charges in January. He was expelled from the Communist Party of China in September last year for serious violations of its discipline and laws.