A provincial court has upheld the death sentence of a tobacco official in east China's Fujian Province who was convicted of embezzling millions of yuan, local authorities said Tuesday.

The court heard that Xu Ximing, former director of Tobacco Monopoly Bureau in Sanming City of Fujian, embezzled public funds worth more than 155 million yuan (about US$20 million). He was also convicted of taking bribes worth about 3.4 million yuan (US$430,000).

Although Xu admitted his crimes, he failed to return more than 5.68 million yuan (US$730,000).

The court declined to disclose further information.

The death sentence now goes to the Supreme People's Court for review.

Since January 1 all death sentences must receive the approval of the Supreme People's Court.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)