Ling Jihua, the former vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, attends a meeting during this 2013 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

TIANJIN - Former deputy head of China's national political advisory body Ling Jihua was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday for taking bribes, illegally obtaining state secrets and abuse of power.

Ling pled guilty and decided not to appeal, according to the first-instance ruling of the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin.