China Executes Former Senior Banker in Major Bribery Case

China has executed a former senior banker for taking huge bribes. The man was Bai Tianhui, a onetime general manager at China Huarong International Holdings. The execution took place on Tuesday in Tianjin. It followed approval from the Supreme People’s Court. The case is one of the largest bribery punishments in China in recent years.

Officials said Bai took more than 1.1 billion yuan in bribes. That amount equals about 155 million dollars. According to Reuters and other major outlets, the court ruled that the crime caused major harm to the state and the public. China has pushed for tough action on corruption under a long-running campaign.

China Execution Case Marks Major Step in Anti‑Corruption Push

The Tianjin Second Intermediate People’s Court first sentenced Bai to death in May 2024. The court also seized all his personal property. It said the evidence against him was clear and strong. It added that the scale of the bribes made the case severe.

According to AP and Reuters, Bai once ran the offshore unit of China Huarong International Holdings. That unit was later taken over by Citic Group and renamed China Citic Financial Asset Management. The court did not say how Bai was executed. It said only that he met close relatives before the sentence.

China’s anti-corruption system targets financial crimes, state regulators, and senior officials. Reports say that more than 50 high-level figures in finance were detained this year. Death sentences for bribery remain rare but have happened before. In 2021, Lai Xiaomin, Bai’s former boss, was also executed for corruption.

Why the Case Matters for China’s Financial Sector

The case has renewed focus on corruption inside large state-linked firms. It shows how the government wants strict control over money flows. Analysts say these actions aim to protect markets and increase trust in the system.

The execution may also raise fear among senior officials who manage major funds. For the public, the ruling sends a message that no one is above the law. For China’s financial firms, it adds pressure to tighten rules and watch internal risks.

Some experts note that the crackdown can disrupt parts of the market in the short term. But they say Beijing wants long-term order. The Bai Tianhui case stands as one of the strongest signals yet.

China’s execution of Bai Tianhui marks a major moment in its anti-corruption drive. The case highlights how far the state will go to punish bribery. The focus on the execution case will likely shape future crackdowns across the financial sector.

Thought you’d like to know-

Q1: Why was Bai Tianhui executed?

He was executed for taking more than 1.1 billion yuan in bribes. Courts said the crime caused major harm to the state. Officials said the evidence was clear and strong.

Q2: Which court handled the case?

The Tianjin Second Intermediate People’s Court handled the case. The Supreme People’s Court later approved the execution. It was carried out on Tuesday in Tianjin.

Q3: What role did Bai Tianhui hold?

He was the former general manager of China Huarong International Holdings. He ran an offshore unit later taken over by Citic Group. He held senior control over major financial assets.

Q4: Are death sentences for bribery common in China?

No, they are rare. But China sometimes uses them in extreme cases. The execution of Lai Xiaomin in 2021 was a similar example.

Q5: How does this case affect China’s anti-corruption campaign?

It shows the campaign is still strong and active. It also signals harsher penalties for major financial crimes. It may lead to tighter checks across the industry.