China doesn't mess around with corruption. Two officials executed...

China has executed two officials from eastern cities after convicting them of corruption.

Xu Maiyong, a former vice-mayor of Hangzhou, and Jiang Renjie, who was vice-mayor of Suzhou, were put to death after their appeals were rejected.

Officials said Xu and Jiang took almost 300m yuan ($46m; £29m) by embezzling and taking bribes.

Corruption is one of the main causes of public discontent in China. Hundreds of officials are convicted every year.

But only a handful are executed, and it is extremely rare for two officials to be put to death on the same day. More...

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