SHIJIAZHUANG - Wang Baoan, former head of the National Bureau of Statistics, was given a life sentence for accepting bribes Wednesday.

The sentence was handed down by the Intermediate People's Court of Zhangjiakou in north China's Hebei Province.

Wang was deprived of his political rights for life and all his personal assets were confiscated.

He was also ordered to return all his illicit gains.

The court found Wang guilty of taking advantage of his various posts in the State Administration of Taxation, Ministry of Finance, Heilongjiang Provincial Government and National Bureau of Statistics to secure projects, contracts or promotions for others.

In return, he accepted money and valuables worth more than 153 million yuan (around 22.4 million U.S. dollars).

Wang was given relatively lenient treatment as he cooperated with investigators, surrendered his gains, admitted his guilt and repented, the court said.