BEIJING, April 28 -- Bai Xueshan, former vice chair of the government of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for accepting bribes.

Bai was also fined 3.5 million yuan (around 507,760 U.S. dollars), and his illicit gains shall be turned over to the state treasury, said the Xi'an Intermediate People's Court in Shaanxi Province.

The court found Bai took advantage of his various posts to offer assistance to entities and individuals in land-related procedures, project approvals and contracting and adjustment of positions.

In return, Bai accepted bribes worth about 38.87 million yuan, the court said.

The court decided to be lenient as Bai pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, returned his illegal gains and offered information about other crimes.