Wang Xingbao, former secretary of the Shangrao Prefectural Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), was sentenced to life imprisonment here Thursday for taking bribes and possessing properties he could not account for.

The verdict was passed by the Nanchang Intermediate People's Court.

Wang's wife, Wen Xianlan, was also sentenced at the trial to 12 years in prison for corruption. According to the verdict, they obtained more than 4.11 million yuan (495,180 US dollars) illegally, which will be confiscated and turned in to the state treasury.

Wang served as director of the Development Research Center of Jiangxi provincial people's government and had acted as secretary of Shangrao Prefectural CPC Committee from 1994 to 1999.

During his tenure in Shangrao, he allegedly abused his position and gained 1.034 million yuan (124,578 US dollars) either by himself or with the help of his wife by seeking illegal profits for the bribers.

Wen had worked in the Jiangxi branch of China Life Insurance Company Limited. She allegedly had abused her position and took about 510,000 yuan (60,240 US dollars) illegally by seeking profits for others when taking charge of the building construction for the company.

She allegedly had taken advantage of her husband's power and accepted brides with her husband.

Wang owned properties more than his lawful income and could not account for the balance of some 2.55 million yuan (307,228 US dollars), according to the court verdict.