Former China Unicom executive sentenced to 12 years for bribery

Cao Xingxin, former deputy general manager of China United Network Communications Group, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for accepting bribes totaling more than 26.75 million yuan ($3.77 million), the Intermediate People's Court of Binzhou in Shandong province announced on Tuesday.

The court also imposed a fine of 2 million yuan on Cao and ordered the confiscation of his illicit gains and their proceeds.

The court held a public trial of the case in August 2025. During the trial, prosecutors presented relevant evidence, and Cao and his defense counsel cross-examined the evidence. Both sides fully expressed their views, and Cao made a final statement, admitting guilt and expressing remorse.

According to the court, from 2005 to 2024, Cao leveraged his positions — including those in the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and as deputy general manager of China United Network Communications Group — to assist others in project procurement, job transfers, and promotions. He directly or indirectly accepted bribes equivalent to more than 26.75 million yuan.

The court determined that Cao's actions constituted the crime of bribery involving an extraordinarily large amount. Considering the attempted nature of some of his offenses, his truthful confession after being apprehended, his voluntary disclosure of previously unknown bribery facts, his remorse, and his active return of illicit gains, he was granted a lighter sentence.

Cao, 59, came under investigation in September 2024 by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission. He was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office in February of this year, arrested in March, and formally charged in July.