Former Mayor of Wuhan, Zhou Xianwang, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for bribery. The Intermediate People’s Court of Shangqiu in Henan province found that Zhou accepted over 60.5 million yuan ($9 million) in bribes between 2003 and 2025 while holding positions including Party Secretary of Huangshi, Mayor of Wuhan, and Deputy Governor of Hubei province. He facilitated projects, business operations, and administrative approvals for companies and individuals in exchange for these bribes. Although Zhou confessed to his crimes and returned the illicit funds, he was also fined 5 million yuan. The investigation began in July of the previous year by the Central Commission for Discipline Check. Zhou’s leadership during the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in December 2019, and the delayed public reporting of the virus, drew significant criticism. A lockdown was implemented in Wuhan three days after a government meeting on January 20, 2020, which was seen as a delayed response.