Ex-forestry official gets life sentence for bribery

Li Chunliang, a former deputy head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and National Park Administration, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for accepting bribes and taking bribes by using his influence.

The Intermediate People's Court of Dezhou, Shandong province, handed down the verdict at a public sentencing hearing.

Li was sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting bribes, deprived of his political rights for life and ordered to forfeit all his personal assets. He also received a four-year prison term and a fine of 300,000 yuan ($44,300) for taking bribes by using his influence.

The court decided to enforce a combined sentence of life imprisonment, lifelong deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all his personal assets. His illicit gains, along with any proceeds generated from them, will be recovered and turned over to the State treasury.

Li, 63, a native of Hebei province, joined the Communist Party of China in 1984. He worked in the Party's organization system for nearly two decades, holding positions at the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Organization Department of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee.

He was transferred to the former State Forestry Administration in 2016 and became deputy head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration following the State Council's institutional reform in 2018. After retiring in 2023, he became president of the China Wildlife Conservation Association later that year.

Li was placed under investigation in May 2025 and expelled from the CPC in November.

Disciplinary authorities said Li had resisted the investigation, frequented private clubs in violation of Party rules and failed to report personal matters as required. He was also found to have sought benefits for others in personnel appointments in exchange for money and valuables.

According to the authorities, Li illegally accepted gifts and cash, borrowed money from individuals under his supervision and accepted renovation services provided by people and entities under his administration or seeking favors. He also abused his positions to help others in business operations, project contracting and administrative licensing, while accepting especially large amounts of money and valuables in return.

The Shandong Provincial People's Procuratorate approved Li's arrest in March on suspicion of accepting bribes and taking bribes by using his influence. Prosecutors in Dezhou later filed charges against him.

The Dezhou court publicly heard the case in April. Li pleaded guilty, expressed remorse and made a final statement during the trial.