Ex-Executive of China Huarong Executed for Taking US$150m in Bribes

Bai Tianhui, a former senior executive at China Huarong, was executed today after the Supreme People’s Court approved his death sentence for taking more than 1.1 billion yuan (US$150 million) in bribes.

The Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court said Bai was put to death after completing all legal procedures. He met with close relatives before the execution.

Bai, who held a series of senior posts between 2014 and 2018 at Huarong (Hong Kong) International Holdings and China Huarong International Holdings, including general manager, managing director and deputy general manager, used his positions to help companies obtain project acquisitions and financing. In exchange, he illegally accepted assets worth over 1.108 billion yuan, according to the SPC ruling.

He was first sentenced to death in May 2024 for bribery, with lifetime deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all personal property. The Tianjin High People’s Court upheld the verdict in February 2025 and forwarded the case to the SPC for mandatory review.

In its final approval, the SPC said Bai’s crimes were "extremely serious," noting the "especially huge amount of bribes," and the "especially harmful social impact," all of which caused "particularly major losses" to state and public interests.