BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

China executes corrupt officials

China has executed an official who spent nearly $5m of public money on a gambling spree.

The official Xinhua news agency announced that the former deputy mayor of the north-eastern city of Shenyang, Ma Xiangdong, had been put to death, along with the city's public property chief, Guo Jiusi.

The pair were convicted of taking bribes and embezzlement.

During a series of trials, it emerged that there were close links between local government officials in the city and organised crime syndicates.

In all, 16 officials were convicted on corrruption charges, including the former mayor Mu Suixin.

His death sentence was suspended after he expressed regret for his crimes.

In recent years, China has executed a string of officials for corruption, which it fears is undermining support for the Communist party.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service