China sentences former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin to 24 years in prison for corruption-related offences, according to state media reports cited by multiple outlets. The courts find Shi guilty of crimes including embezzlement or misappropriation of funds and taking bribes. BBC and other sources describe the case as involving financial wrongdoing connected to his role as the head of the widely known “kung fu temple.”
Hong Kong Free Press adds that Shi was removed from his post in July 2025 after authorities cited “extremely” bad behaviour, and that the alleged misconduct spanned a long period, including accusations of embezzlement and bribery. South China Morning Post and Xinhua also report that the sentence includes a fine of 3.5 million yuan (about US$516,000).
The reporting is consistent across outlets on the defendant’s identity, the prison term of 24 years, and the central charges of embezzlement/misappropriation and bribery, though details such as the timeline and language of charges vary by outlet.
