Former Chinese agricultural minister prosecuted for bribery

Tang Renjian, former minister of agriculture and rural affairs, has been prosecuted for suspected bribery in Changchun, Jilin province, China's top procuratorate said on Thursday.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate disclosed the information on its website, noting that the Changchun prosecutors have recently filed the prosecution with the Changchun Intermediate People's Court.

According to the prosecutors, Tang should be held criminal liable for accepting bribes, as he was found to have taken advantage of his many high-ranking positions, such as deputy head of the office of the central leading group for financial and economic affairs, governor of Gansu province and minister of agriculture and rural affairs, to facilitate benefits for others, and illegally accepted huge amounts of money in return.

Public information shows that Tang, 62, a native of Chongqing, started working in 1983 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1991.

He was placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of the Party disciplines and national laws in May 2024. Six months later, he was expelled from the Party and removed from public office.