The first-instance verdict in the bribery case of Bi Jingquan has been announced; he was sentenced to fourteen years in prison

On September 15, 2026, the Intermediate People’s Court of Jinan City, Shandong Province, issued a firstinstance verdict in the bribery case of Bi Jingquan, former standing committee member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former deputy director of the Economic Committee, sentencing him to 14 years in prison for bribery and imposing a fine of 5 million yuan. The illicit gains and their fruits that were recovered will be turned over to the state treasury in accordance with the law. The court found that between 1995 and 2025, Bi Jingquan took advantage of multiple positions and the influence of his authority to provide assistance to relevant organizations and individuals in matters such as business operations, administrative approvals, and project settlements, illegally accepting property equivalent to more than 57.42 million yuan. The Intermediate People’s Court of Jinan City said that, considering that Bi Jingquan truthfully confessed after being brought before the court and voluntarily disclosed some facts that had not yet been established, and that there were attempted circumstances, that he pleaded guilty and showed remorse and actively returned the illicit gains, and that the relevant illicit money and property had all been recovered, he was given a lighter punishment in accordance with the law. The case was heard in open court on June 24, 2026, and during the trial the defendant stated in court that he pleaded guilty and showed remorse.