Wang Zhonghe, former vice-chairman of the Inner Mongolia regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was sentenced Monday to 17 years in prison for taking and offering bribes totaling nearly 69 million yuan ($10 million).

The sentence was announced by a court in Xianning, Hubei province. Wang was also fined 6.1 million yuan, and his illegal gains and related proceeds will be confiscated.

From 1999 to 2025, Wang held a series of posts in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, including mayor of Chifeng city, Party chief of Baotou city and vice chairman of the regional CPPCC committee.

The court found that Wang used his positions and influence to assist organizations and individuals in matters including business operations, project contracting and job adjustments, and accepted money and valuables worth more than 66.74 million yuan.

In the second half of 2012 and in 2013, Wang also gave 2 million yuan in bribes to state employees to seek improper benefits, the court said.

The court ruled that Wang's actions constituted the crimes of taking bribes and offering bribes. The case was heard publicly on Jan 29.