Former China Central Television official Zhao An has been given a 10-year jail term and penalty of 200,000 yuan (US$24,000) for corruption in a final sentencing passing by the Beijing Higher People's Court on Monday.

The court also sentenced Zhang Junyi, a writer who was convicted of bribery and slander, to six years in jail. Zhang was found to have bribed Zhao and defamed leading officials of central government departments.

From 1994 to 2000, Zhao accepted 110,000 yuan (US$13,250) in cash and 500,000 yuan (US$60,200) worth of audio and visual equipment from Zhang, who wanted Zhao to help him promote his literary works through CCTV's programs, the court found.

In its ruling, the higher court turned down appeals by the pair and upheld the first-evidence sentencing by the Beijing First Intermediate People's Court.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2004)