BUSINESS

Ex-China Eastern Chairman Sentenced to 14 Years for Bribery

Published: Nov. 4, 2026 6:13 p.m. GMT+8

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The Shenyang Intermediate People’s Court announced the first-instance verdict in the bribery case of Liu Shaoyong on Nov. 3. Photo: CCTV News

A Chinese court has sentenced Liu Shaoyong, the former chairman of state-owned China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd., to 14 years in prison for accepting more than 67.5 million yuan ($10.1 million) in bribes.

The Shenyang Intermediate People’s Court on Tuesday handed down the sentence and fined Liu 4 million yuan, according to a statement published on the Supreme People’s Court website. The court also ordered confiscation of all illicit gains.

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Liu Shaoyong, former chairman of China Eastern Air Holding, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined 4 million yuan for accepting over 67.5 million yuan ($10.1 million) in bribes.
Bribes were accepted between 2002 and 2023 for aiding business operations, project contracting, and route management at China Eastern and China Southern.
He received a lighter sentence due to confession, disclosure of unknown bribery facts, and surrendering all illicit gains.

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Who’s Who

China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.: China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd. is a state-owned Chinese airline group. Its former chairman, Liu Shaoyong, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for accepting over ¥67.5 million ($10.1 million) in bribes. He was known for rescuing airlines but fell after a 2022 crash and corruption charges.

China Southern Air Holding Co. Ltd.: Based on the article, China Southern Air Holding Co. Ltd. is mentioned as a company where Liu Shaoyong held top positions. He took its helm in August 2004, mired in a financial scandal, and returned it to profitability within two years, leveraging his role to assist companies with business operations and route management.

Shanghai Airlines: Based on the article, Shanghai Airlines is referenced regarding Liu Shaoyong's tenure at China Eastern. Under his leadership, China Eastern stabilized its finances and consolidated its market position by merging with Shanghai Airlines.

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What Happened When

November 1958：: Liu was born.

August 2004：: Liu took the helm of China Southern.

December 2008：: Liu was abruptly transferred to China Eastern.

Between 2002 and 2023：: Liu leveraged his top positions at China Eastern and China Southern Air Holding Co. Ltd. to assist companies and individuals with business operations, project contracting, and airline route management (bribery period).

March 2022：: The crash of China Eastern flight MU5735 occurred, killing all 132 people on board.

July 2022：: Liu stepped down from his corporate roles at age 63.

Tuesday (date unspecified in article, but referring to the sentencing day)：: The Shenyang Intermediate People's Court sentenced Liu to 14 years in prison and fined him 4 million yuan, with confiscation of all illicit gains.