BUSINESS

Former Head of China Defense Giant AVIC Gets Suspended Death Sentence for Graft

Published: Mar. 25, 2026 11:11 p.m. GMT+8

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Tan Ruisong appears at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in Liaoning province on March 25, 2026. Photo: CCTV

A Chinese court has sentenced the former head of state-owned defense conglomerate Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) to a suspended death sentence for corruption involving more than 700 million yuan ($101 million).

Tan Ruisong, former party secretary and chairman of AVIC, was sentenced Wednesday by the Dalian Intermediate People’s Court in Liaoning province, according to a statement from the Supreme People’s Court. He was convicted of embezzlement, bribery, insider trading and illegally disclosing inside information.

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Tan Ruisong, former AVIC chairman, received a suspended death sentence for corruption involving over 700 million yuan ($101 million).
Charges included embezzlement, bribery, insider trading, and leaking inside information from 1998 to 2024.
His case is part of a wider anti-corruption campaign and coincides with significant leadership changes at AVIC, including the ousting of multiple senior executives.

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Who’s Who

Aviation Industry Corporation of China: Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is a state-owned defense conglomerate. Its former head, Tan Ruisong, received a suspended death sentence for corruption involving over 700 million yuan. This highlights intensified scrutiny within China's defense industry under an anti-corruption campaign, leading to leadership changes and the removal of several top management officials at AVIC.

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What Happened When

Between 1998 and 2024：: Tan Ruisong accepted bribes totaling more than 613 million yuan while serving in various positions.

Between July 2003 and 2010：: Tan embezzled 89.93 million yuan in public funds while serving as a deputy general manager at AVIC and its predecessor.

2012：: Tan Ruisong became general manager of AVIC.

March 2012 to March 2023：: Tan conducted securities trades and leaked inside information.

2018：: Tan Ruisong became chairman of AVIC.

March 2023：: Tan Ruisong retired from AVIC.

March 2024：: Zhou Xinmin succeeded Tan Ruisong as chairman of AVIC.

August 2024：: Authorities announced Tan Ruisong's downfall.

2025：: Hao Zhaoping's profile was removed from the company's website. AVIC replaced seven of its nine top management posts.

July 2025：: Zhou Xinmin was removed as chairman of AVIC.

February 2026：: Zhou Xinmin was stripped of his national legislature seat.

2026：: Yang Wei's profile was removed from the company's website.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026：: Tan Ruisong was sentenced to a suspended death sentence for corruption, embezzlement, bribery, insider trading, and leaking inside information by the Dalian Intermediate People’s Court.

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