(CFP)

The Higher People's Court of Jiangsu Province has upheld a death sentence for Jiang Renjie, former Vice Mayor of Suzhou, one of China's most prosperous cities, in a final verdict on March 31.

The court rejected Jiang's appeal against the death sentence. All of Jiang's personal assets were confiscated and he was also deprived of his political rights for life.

The higher court concluded Jiang had abused his power and taken bribes to seek gains. From 2001 to 2004, Jiang took bribes of about 108.57 million yuan ($16.6 million), including $4,000 in cash, from property developers while he was in charge of real estate development of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.