Former senior Hebei legislator tried for accepting bribes

TIANJIN -- Xie Jilai, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of Hebei Provincial People's Congress, stood trial at a court in North China's Tianjin on Thursday for accepting bribes.

Xie was charged with taking money and valuables worth over 88.7 million yuan (about $12.3 million) between January 1999 and December 2020.

He allegedly took advantage of his positions at the Communist Party of China Hebei Provincial Committee and the Standing Committee of Hebei Provincial People's Congress to seek benefits for others in areas such as personnel promotions, job changes and project development between November 2002 and January 2017, according to the prosecutors.

During hearings at the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin, the prosecutors presented their evidence, which the defendant and his lawyers cross-examined.

Xie pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement.

The verdict will be announced in due course.