BEIJING, China, July 10, SPA -- China executed a former drug and food safety chief on Tuesday for corruption in an unusually swift sentence. The Supreme People's Court approved the death sentence against Zheng Xiaoyu, 62, who was convicted of taking bribes worth some 6.5 million yuan ($850,000) from eight companies and dereliction of duty, Xinhua news agency said. His execution marked the first time China has imposed a death sentence on an official of his rank since 2000. "Zheng Xiaoyu's grave irresponsibility in pharmaceutical safety inspection and failure to conscientiously carry out his duties seriously damaged the interests of the state and people," Xinhua cited the high court as stating. "The social impact has been utterly malign," the court said, adding that Zheng's confession and handing over of bribes were not enough to justify mercy.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/466193