Beijing - Seven counterfeiters accused of forging almost $4.5 million in banknotes were sentenced to death in the southeastern Chinese province of Guangdong yesterday, writes Miriam Donohoe.
The men earned approximately $80,000 each using fake 20 RMB bills they minted over a period of three months beginning last November. An eight member of the forgery ring was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
China is believed to be the world's leading executioner and is currently in the middle of a "strike hard" campaign in which at least 1800 people have been executed in the first six months of its year.