Xu Heyi, former BAIC Group chairman, sentenced to death with reprieve

Xu Heyi, the former chairman of the Chinese automotive giant BAIC Group, has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve by the Beijing No. 3 Intermediate People's Court. The ruling follows a corruption and money laundering investigation initiated in 2023.

In addition to the death sentence, the 68-year-old executive was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 200,000 yuan for money laundering. The court also ordered the lifelong deprivation of his political rights and the confiscation of all his personal assets and illegal gains, which will be transferred to the state treasury.

Xu Heyi led BAIC Group for approximately 15 years, from 2006 to 2020, playing a strategic role in international joint ventures with companies such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz. The investigation revealed illegal gains made through major public projects, supply contracts, and licensing agreements.