State media reports say Ji Jianye also was fined 2 million yuan ($323,000) for taking bribes in exchange for doling out public works contracts and arranging job transfers.
Ji's decision not to fight the charges likely resulted in his relatively light sentence.
His former position is equivalent to that of a vice minister, making him one of the highest-ranking officials brought down by the anti-corruption drive launched shortly after Xi was installed as ruling Communist Party chief in 2012.
Xi has vowed to go after officials at all levels, and thousands have been investigated the party's anti-corruption body.
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