China executed a former drug and food safety chief today for corruption amid a series of health scandals.
The Supreme People's Court approved the death sentence against Zheng Xiaoyu (62) after he was convicted of taking bribes worth some 6.5 million yuan (€625,000) from eight companies and dereliction of duty, Xinhua news agency said.
His execution marked the first time China has imposed a death sentence on an official of his rank since 2000.
"Zheng Xiaoyu's grave irresponsibility in pharmaceutical safety inspection and failure to conscientiously carry out his duties seriously damaged the interests of the state and people," Xinhua cited the high court as stating.
"The social impact has been utterly malign," the court said, adding that Zheng's confession and handing over of bribes were not enough to justify mercy.
A spokeswoman for the State Food and Drug Administration said the case had brought only shame to the watchdog.
Investigators found Zheng and his subordinates abused new rules in renewing drug production licences to squeeze kickbacks from companies.
His actions led to approval of many medicines that should have been blocked or taken from the market, including six fake drugs, the court found.