A chief who killed his ambitious deputy in Guangdong Province was sentenced to death yesterday.

The Zhanjiang People's Intermediate Court, the court of first instance, found Xuan Xiong, 56, guilty and an official certificate said Xuan was sane when he killed Chen Zhenhua with a wrench on January 3.

No mitigated or lighter punishment was expected yesterday though Xuan reportedly surrendered to police after killing his deputy. Chen was considered to be Xuan's successor as director of the ocean and fishery department of Suixi County, Guangdong Province.

Xuan was entitled to appeal within 10 working days, according to China's criminal procedure law.

Xuan confessed that Chen's ambition to steal his position enraged him.

Chen's words allegedly irritated Xuan and his work deteriorated noticeably before the murder, Xinkuaibao reported.

(Shanghai Daily December 18, 2007)