The First-Instance Verdict in the Bribery Case of Duan Chenggang, Former Vice Chairman of the Chongqing CPPCC, Has Been Announced

On July 28, the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court issued a firstinstance verdict in the bribery case of Duan Chenggang, former member of the Party Leadership Group and vice chairman of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, finding him guilty of bribery and sentencing him to life imprisonment, deprivation of political rights for life, and confiscation of all personal property. The relevant illicit money and goods, along with their fruits, will be recovered in accordance with the law and turned over to the state treasury. After trial, the court found that from the second half of 2003 to March 2025, Duan Chenggang took advantage of the authority formed while serving in multiple important posts in various parts of Chongqing to provide assistance to relevant organizations and individuals in matters such as business operations, project advancement, and engineering contracting, illegally accepting property worth more than 144 million yuan in total. The court held that the amount of bribes was exceptionally large and caused especially severe losses; however, considering that there was an attempted offense in the case, and that after being brought to justice Duan Chenggang truthfully confessed, voluntarily disclosed most of the facts that had not been uncovered, pleaded guilty and expressed remorse, and actively returned illicit gains, he was given a lighter punishment in accordance with the law. The case was heard publicly on April 23, with deputies to the People's Congress, CPPCC members, and members of the public attending the trial as observers.