Liu Zhigeng, former vice governor of southern China's Guangdong Province, stands trial. (File photo/CCTV)
Liu Zhigeng, former vice governor of southern China's Guangdong Province, was given a life sentence for accepting bribes worth over 98 million yuan (14.4 million U.S. dollars).
A court in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, announced the sentence Wednesday.
Liu was deprived of his political rights for life and all his personal assets were confiscated.
He was also ordered to return all his ill-gotten gains.
The court found that between 1993 and 2012, Liu had taken advantage of various posts to seek benefits for others, including acquisition of stock, land interests and bank loans.
In return, he accepted money and gifts worth more than 98.17 million yuan.
The court said Liu was given a relatively lenient sentence as he had cooperated throughout the investigation and showed repentance.
Liu told the court that he accepted the sentence and will not appeal.
