Death sentence suspended for former official at Chinese defence gear supplier, state media reports
BEIJING - The former deputy general manager of a Chinese state-owned supplier of defence gear, He Wenzhong, was handed a death sentence with a two-year reprieve over charges linked to bribery, the national broadcaster CCTV reported on Monday.
During his tenure at China Electronics Technology Group Corp from 2006 to 2023, He accepted more than 289 million yuan ($40.28 million) in kickbacks and bribes, CCTV reported.
The investigation into He by China's anti-graft watchdog was made public last April.
He's suspended death sentence means capital punishment will only be carried out if he commits further crimes during the period of reprieve. Otherwise, he will face a life sentence after two years. REUTERS

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
29 minutes ago
- Straits Times
18 migrants die in shipwreck off eastern Libya, 50 missing
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox TRIPOLI - At least 18 migrants died in a shipwreck off the city of Tobruk in eastern Libya over the weekend, and 50 are still missing, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday, citing reports. Ten survivors have been accounted for so far, the IOM said. Tobruk is a coastal city near the border with Egypt. A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi in eastern Libya told Reuters by phone that the migrants are from Egypt. The diplomat said 10 bodies were identified and transferred back home, while the survivors were being held in an anti-illegal migration facility. A Libyan Coast Guard official said the bodies of migrants were found in Alaghila Beach, some 25 kilometers east of Tobruk. Since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has become a transit country for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty across the desert and over the Mediterranean to Europe. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business No clarity yet on baseline or pharmaceutical tariffs with US: DPM Gan Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore Liquidators score victory to recoup over $900 million from alleged scammer Ng Yu Zhi's associates Singapore Man on trial for raping woman who hired him to repair lights in her flat Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore Singapore Child and firefighter among 7 taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong "This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly risks people are forced to take in search of safety and opportunity. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants and refugees, many of whom face exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening journeys," the IOM said. REUTERS

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
France's Bonafous becomes first woman skipper to win Fastnet in an IMOCA
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Elodie Bonafous carved out a slice of offshore racing history on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to win the IMOCA class in the Rolex Fastnet Race after a nail-biting duel that went down to the wire. The 29-year-old French sailor, skippering the freshly launched Association Petits Princes–Queguiner IMOCA with Vendee Globe veteran Yann Elies aboard, crossed the line in Cherbourg just seven minutes ahead of Jeremie Beyou's Charal after more than two days of racing in a record 444-strong fleet. Bonafous held her nerve through a tense final night of drifting conditions and tactical gambles that saw the lead change hands in dramatic fashion. After guiding her crew around Fastnet Rock at the front of the pack, she was briefly overhauled by rivals in the Channel. But the breakthrough moment came east of Guernsey, where Bonafous fought back to reclaim top spot in what turned into a gripping match race with Charal that came down to the final miles. 'We are very happy to be here,' Bonafous said, beaming upon her arrival. 'We are in good shape. It was tight at the end. It was a great victory." Sailing a boat launched only in February, Bonafous blended smarts, steel and speed to outfox some of the IMOCA fleet's biggest names and her victory marked a defining moment in the race's centenary edition, delivering a masterclass in timing and tenacity that will be remembered as a watershed moment for women in offshore sailing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore Liquidators score victory to recoup over $900 million from alleged scammer Ng Yu Zhi's associates Singapore Man on trial for raping woman who hired him to repair lights in her flat Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail Beyou was sanguine at settling for second place. 'When the wind is steady, I think we are quicker, but when it's light, we are stuck. But it was a lot of fun and it was never over until the finish," he said. "This was a very classic Fastnet race, upwind to the Rock and then the wind coming from behind on the way back. "It was nice to sail with a crew on the IMOCA and to race it at 100% so you could carry out all the strategic tacks and gybes you wanted. It's always intense in an IMOCA race, but a bit more like this.' The IMOCA class (International Monohull Open Class Association) is a fleet of cutting-edge, 60-foot offshore racing yachts designed for competition in some of the world's toughest ocean races. IMOCAs are characterised by their lightweight carbon construction, towering masts and distinctive 'Dali' foils that lift the hull partially out of the water to reduce drag. The biennial Fastnet Race traces a challenging 695-nautical miles course from Cowes on England's Isle of Wight around Ireland's famous Fastnet Rock before finishing in Cherbourg — a test that has challenged sailors' skill and endurance for a century. REUTERS

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Two men to be charged for allegedly scamming victims by impersonating government officials
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The men, aged 30 and 37, are believed to be accomplices to a scam syndicate. SINGAPORE - Two men will be charged in court on July 30 for allegedly scamming victims of money by impersonating government officials. The men, aged 30 and 37, are believed to be accomplices to a scam syndicate, said the police on July 29. They were arrested on July 28. The police were first alerted to a case on May 17, in which a victim lost more than $43,000 to the 30-year-old man. The man, who said he was from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, told the victim that she had been implicated in an offence and had to hand the money over for investigative purposes. Preliminary investigations showed that the scammer collected the money on the behalf of a syndicate, and handed it over to an unknown person. On a separate occasion, he had also collected $47,000 in cash from another victim and passed the money to the 37-year-old man. The cash was recovered when the pair was arrested. The police believe that the men are involved in other similar cases. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore Liquidators score victory to recoup over $900 million from alleged scammer Ng Yu Zhi's associates Singapore Man on trial for raping woman who hired him to repair lights in her flat Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail The duo will be charged with the offence of abetment by conspiracy to assist another to retain benefits from criminal conduct. If found guilty, they may be jailed for up to 10 years, fined up to $500,000, or both. The police said they take a serious stance against those involved in scams, and will punish perpetrators according to the law, and reminded the public to never transfer money or any valuables to people not known to them.