Former senior political adviser sentenced to 12 years for bribery

Zhang Xiaolian, a former senior national political adviser, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined 2 million yuan ($287,920) by a court in Hebei province on Wednesday for bribery. Zhang's illicit gains and relevant interests have been ordered to be turned over to the State treasury, according to the ruling announced by the Shijiazhuang Intermediate People's Court.

Following an investigation, the court found that from 2007 to 2023, Zhang used his positions, including mayor of Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, and deputy head of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, to seek benefits for individuals and departments in various matters, such as case handling, business operations, and work management. In return, he accepted bribes worth more than 30.68 million yuan.

The court stated that Zhang's actions constituted the crime of bribery and warranted severe punishment due to the "extremely large" amount of bribes. However, it decided on a lenient sentence because he confessed to the crime, voluntarily reported some bribes unknown to investigators, and actively returned his illegal proceeds.

Public information shows that Zhang, 61, a native of Shandong province, joined the Communist Party of China in January 1985 and began his career at Beijing Forestry University in July 1986. In 2002, he became the head of Beijing's Fangshan district. Three years later, he moved to Heilongjiang province, serving as an assistant to the provincial governor. In 2007, he was appointed mayor of Harbin.

He started working for the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC, China's top political advisory body, in late 2018. In 2020, he became deputy head of its Committee on Economic Affairs. He was placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of Party disciplines and national laws in October 2024. In April 2025, he was expelled from the Party. Five months later, he was indicted on the charge of bribery, and the court publicly heard the case in November.