Former emergency management official sentenced to 13 years for bribery

Zhang Fusheng, former deputy head of the fire and rescue administration at China's Ministry of Emergency Management, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for bribery, the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court in Fujian province announced on Wednesday. He was also fined 3 million yuan ($424,500).

The court ordered the confiscation of Zhang's illegally obtained assets and their proceeds, which will be turned over to the state treasury.

Between 1997 and 2022, Zhang used his various positions in the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Emergency Management to offer favors, including assistance with project contracts, job promotions, and work transfers. In exchange, he accepted bribes amounting to more than 38.93 million yuan.

The court found Zhang guilty of accepting bribes of "especially large amounts." However, leniency was granted because he voluntarily confessed to most of his crimes, cooperated with authorities by disclosing previously unknown facts, pleaded guilty, and returned the illicit funds.

Zhang, 62, a native of Liaoning province, began his career in 1980 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1982. He became deputy head of the fire and rescue administration in November 2019. He was placed under investigation in November 2022, expelled from the Party and removed from public office in June 2023. Zhang was formally arrested the following month.

Fuzhou prosecutors filed charges against him in October 2023. He pleaded guilty during his trial, which took place in April this year.