The former deputy head of the Guangzhou Municipal Health Bureau, Qiu Chunlei, was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court for taking bribes of 4.15 million yuan ($675,000) from his mistress and a relative.

Qiu, 51, was accused of using his position to help his mistress, Cao Shujun, profit from selling medical equipment to local governments.

Qiu was investigated for taking bribes on Jan 9 and was arrested by the local procuratorate on Jan 23, according to the Guangzhou Discipline Inspection Committee.