Ex-CSRC vice-chairman sentenced to life for taking 93.4m yuan in bribes

Wang Jianjun, former vice-chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday by a court in Shandong province for accepting bribes totaling more than 93.4 million yuan ($13.9 million).

Wang was also deprived of political rights for life, and all his personal assets were confiscated, according to the ruling announced by the Weifang Intermediate People's Court. His illicit gains and related interests will also be seized and turned over to the State treasury.

The court found that Wang took advantage of his positions at the China Securities Regulatory Commission from the first half of 2005 to September 2019 to seek benefits for relevant departments and individuals in matters including company listings, business financing and project contracting. In exchange, he accepted bribes totaling more than 93.4 million yuan.

The court said Wang's conduct constituted the crime of bribery and warranted a severe punishment because of the "extremely large" amount of bribes he accepted and the "extremely huge" losses he caused to the country and the people.

However, the court said it decided to show leniency because Wang voluntarily reported some bribery offenses that were unknown to investigators, confessed to his crimes and actively returned his illicit gains.

Public information shows that Wang, 58, a native of Sichuan province, began his career in July 1991 and joined the Communist Party of China in October 1994. He worked in the securities regulatory system for many years.

In March 2015, Wang was appointed director of the CSRC's general office. He later served as general manager of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, secretary of its Party committee and chairman of its board.

From October 2021 to May 2025, he served as a member of the Party committee and vice-chairman of the CSRC.

Wang was placed under investigation in April 2025 while he was still in office. He was removed from his post a month later and expelled from the CPC in November 2025.

In March, he was indicted on charges of bribery. The court publicly heard the case on June 10, when Wang pleaded guilty to bribery.