# Sentencing of former Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sentencing-of-former-wuhan-mayor-zhou-xianwang > Updated: 2026-10-12T15:27:00.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2. Former Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Shangqiu Intermediate People’s Court in Henan province for bribery. Authorities determined that between 2003 and May 2025, Zhou used his various official positions in Hubei province to assist entities with business operations, engineering contracts, and administrative approvals. In exchange, he accepted bribes and property totaling more than 60.5 million yuan (approximately $9 million). In addition to the prison term, Zhou was ordered to pay a fine of 5 million yuan. The court noted the sentence was mitigated because Zhou confessed, expressed remorse, returned illicit gains, and provided information regarding other bribery cases. While Zhou gained international notoriety for his role in the early COVID-19 response—specifically regarding the delayed release of information during the initial outbreak—the court ruling focused on his corruption rather than his management of the pandemic. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-12: Former Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang sentenced to 14 years for bribery Former Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for accepting approximately $9 million in bribes during his tenure in Hubei Province. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-wuhan-mayor-zhou-xianwang-sentenced-to-14-years-for-bribery-3 ### 2026-10-10: Zhou Xianwang sentenced to 14 years in prison for bribery Former Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang has been sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined 5 million yuan for accepting over 60.5 million yuan in bribes during his career in Hubei province. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wuhan-former-mayor-zhou-xianwang-sentenced-to-14-years-for-bribery --- Cite as: Sentencing of former Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sentencing-of-former-wuhan-mayor-zhou-xianwang