Glamorous TV host involved in Chinese corruption scandal

I'm unsure of whether they the authorities will apply the death sentence in this case, even for the central figures in the corruption scandal. What the Chinese government often does in these situations is issue a punishment which is called a "two year deferred death sentence". This is essentially a death sentence in name alone, which is never actually implemented. My conjecture is that the Chinese government is highly mindful of its image, and wants to do as little as possible which could be of further detriment to its human rights record. So in cases like this - large-scale corruption where the perpetrators have committed no acts of heinous violence themselves, a death sentence will be given simply to indicate that the state takes their actions extremely seriously. The sentence, however, will not be implemented, in order to prevent that "annual executions by country" figure from increasing too quickly, and being waved around by human rights groups. It seems that the death sentence is reserved for criminals who commit acts of violence by their own hand.

Depending on the extent of her involvement, Li herself will most likely be spared serious punishment.

While the news story, nor any other stories I've managed to find in the Chinese media, does not provide any further details on her involvement in the corruption scandal, I can only conjecture that she was the mistress of one of the principal figures involved, and benefited directly from some of their ill-gotten proceeds. On the other hand, however, if the extent of her involvement was limited to to receiving gifts from her crooked boyfriends, why would she want to flee the country?

A reputable news journalist would not make a conjecture like you are doing here. Simply said we have no idea what is going on, or even if she is involved in corruption. And why are her boyfriends crooked? Do you know them?

Rev. Jermano

I don't consider it unreasonable to make conjectures as long as you advertise them as such. If I were to state flatly and without qualification that Li Yong was a mistress of one of the men involved, then I think that would be misleading.

While the details of the case are still uncertain, the very fact that Li Yong tried to flee the country and was subsequently detained by police is significant. While there is widespread corruption in China, I consider it unlikely that in a case this high-profile, and this widely publicized, the authorities would detain and investigate an individual without some justification.

As regards her boyfriends being crooked - no I don't know them personally. But if lack of direct acquaintance with another individual disqualified a person from having an opinion about them, then it would be impossible for us, or anyone else, to talk about any events of broader consequence.

And here all along I thought this was a news site....not a gossip blog.

Are you sure it is the same Li Yong?

http://www.china.org.cn/english/entertainment/203108.htm.....

Rev. Jermano

Yeah, I'm fairly sure that's the same Li Yong.

Caijing Magazine - one of the most prestigious finance and economics publications in China, certainly considers the story newsworthy. They were the source of the original article, and it was one of their top stories yesterday.

As I stated in some of my notes on the news story - Li Yong is alleged to be involved in one of the biggest corruption cases in recent Chinese histoy, involving some of its most prominent political figures. This aspect of the case is comparable to a newsreader in Los Angeles receiving the proceeds of corruption obtained by the incumbent Governor of California.