A female official in China has been sentenced to 13 years in prison and fined one million yuan (approximately Rs 1.18 crore) for misconduct. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) , Zhong Yang, nicknamed "the beautiful governor" for her looks, served as the governor and deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Qiannan prefecture, Guizhou province.
She has been accused of having sexual relations with 58 male subordinates and accepting nearly 60 million yuan in bribes. The 52-year-old joined the Communist Party at 22, eventually rising to the rank of deputy in the National People's Congress (NPC). Zhong became known for starting a fruit and agriculture association aimed at helping farmers, as well as spending her own money to support the elderly in need, SCMP reported.
In January, a documentary produced by Guizhou Radio and Television uncovered controversies involving Zhong. It was reported that Ms Zhong accepted bribes and used her position to ensure that companies she favoured received lucrative contracts, under the pretext of government investment. This included approving the development of land in a high-tech industrial estate for a businessman who had a close relationship with her.
In the documentary, a private business owner claimed that Ms Zhong would neglect companies without personal ties to her. The documentary also revealed that in 2023, the Guizhou Provincial Discipline Inspection and Supervision Committee announced that Ms Zhong was suspe.