In a case that has reverberated through China’s semiconductor sector, Zhao Weiguo, the former chairman of Tsinghua Unigroup, was reportedly convicted of corruption and sentenced to a de facto life term.
This verdict marks the culmination of a high-profile investigation that has lingered for over two years, shaking the foundations of a once-prominent computer-chip conglomerate supported by the government.
Zhao, who resigned as chairman in 2022, was taken into custody around the same time, as reported by the Chinese media outlet Caixin.
Prosecutors accused him of leveraging his position to benefit family and friends, unlawfully acquiring state assets valued at over 470 million yuan (approximately $65 million), and orchestrating transactions that led to significant economic losses for a publicly listed company—totaling more than 890 million yuan, or about $124 million.
On Wednesday, the Intermediate People’s Court in Jilin delivered its verdict, sentencing Zhao to death with a two-year reprieve, a punishment typically commuted to life imprisonment.
According to state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), the court deemed Zhao’s corrupt activities to involve “extremely huge” sums, causing “especially severe losses to state interests.”
Notably, Zhao reportedly admitted to his wrongdoing, expressed remorse, and made efforts to return his illicit gains, factors that contributed to the court’s leniency.
This conviction underscores the Chinese government’s ongoing crackdown on corruption, particularly within industries deemed critical to national interests, and serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with power and privilege in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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