China's top court reiterates 'zero tolerance' of corruption

China's top court has directed courts nationwide to continue the fight against corruption with "zero tolerance" and focus more on solving cases involving livelihood, including education, healthcare and housing, as such disputes are more closely related to the people.

The Supreme People's Court made the requirement by disclosing six corruption cases concerning people's livelihood on Monday, urging judges to respond to public concerns and provide stronger support for the country's anti-graft work by rule of law.

One case showed that from 2010 to 2023, a former head of a primary school in Guiyang, Guizhou province, whose surname is Zhong, sought profits for others in admission, transfer and project contracting, and then accepted more than 9.49 million yuan ($1.3 million) in return.

Zhong was also found to have transferred over 1.23 million yuan of the bribes from March 2021 to March 2023 to cover up the source of the money.

Wudang District People's Court in Guiyang identified Zhong's behavior as the crimes of bribery and money laundering, sentencing Zhong to 11 years in prison, along with a fine of 600,000 yuan. Zhong's illicit gains were also confiscated in line with the ruling.

"Education is close to every family. In the case, Zhong, who took advantage of the position as school principal to seek profits, has seriously harmed the educational equity and justice," the top court said, adding that the lower court's ruling has demonstrated the strong judicial determination and effort to fight against corruption.

In another case, a defendant surnamed Li, who worked for a government department in a township of Pingxiang, Jiangxi province, was given a two-year sentence as well as a fine of 100,000 yuan for embezzling more than 270,000 yuan of medical insurance.

Xiangdong District People's Court in Pingxiang announced the verdict against Li, revealing that the embezzled money was used by the defendant for renovating houses and living expenses.

The top court emphasized the importance of medical insurance fund that is the life-saving money of the people, adding that Li's embezzlement was a big damage to the people's health safety and vital interests.

While requiring courts across the country to strengthen the fight against corruption with harsh punishments, the top court has also ordered them to attach greater importance to corruption occurring at the grassroots level to enhance the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security of the people.