Former national legislator sentenced to life for bribery

Li Yuefeng, a former national legislator and senior official with the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, one of the non-Communist parties of China, was sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes totaling more than 93.42 million yuan ($13 million), a court in Shanxi province announced on Thursday.

Li, who pleaded guilty during his trial in April, was also stripped of his political rights for life and had all personal assets confiscated, according to the Tianyuan Intermediate People's Court. All illicit gains and related interest will be turned over to the State treasury.

The court found that from 2011 to 2024, Li used his positions — including as deputy procurator-general of the Chongqing People's Procuratorate, executive vice-chairman of the league and member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress — to seek benefits for departments and individuals in judicial case handling, debt collection for construction projects, and business operations. In return, he accepted bribes worth more than 93.42 million yuan.

The court said Li was guilty of bribery and should be severely punished as the amount involved was "extremely large", causing "extremely great losses" to the country and the people. However, it noted leniency in sentencing because Li voluntarily disclosed bribes unknown to investigators, and returned illicit gains and some bribes were unsuccessful.

Li, born in Chongqing in 1958, began his career in 1976 and joined the league in 2001. Founded in 1947, the league is one of eight non-communist parties that participate in State affairs under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

He worked as a lawyer in Chongqing's procuratorial system for years. In March 2024, authorities placed him under investigation for alleged serious duty-related violations while he was serving as executive vice-chairman of the league and as a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th NPC, China's top legislative body.

Li was removed from office and expelled from the league late last year. In March, prosecutors indicted him on bribery charges, leading to the trial in April.