Former senior official of Chongqing pleads guilty to bribes

Zheng Hong, former senior official who worked for the top legislature of Chongqing, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes of over 50 million yuan ($7 million) while standing trial in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, on Friday.

Zheng, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress, was found to have made use of his positions, including the posts of governor of Chongqing's Jiulongpo district and head of the Chongqing Municipal Federation of Trade Unions, to seek benefits for individuals and departments in matters such as business operation and project contracting between 1998 and 2023, according to the Xi'an prosecutors.

In return, Zheng accepted bribes worth more than 33.14 million yuan, the prosecutors said.

After his retirement, Zheng still used his influence to help others in matters such as business operations and court ruling enforcement and then accepted more than 17.69 million yuan directly or through his family members, the prosecutors added.

During the trial, Zheng and his lawyer also shared their opinions on the evidence provided by the prosecutors, and Zheng finally confessed to his crime.

The Xi'an Intermediate People's Court said the verdict will be announced at a later date.

In March last year, Zheng, 69, a native of Chongqing, was placed under investigation for suspected severe violations of the Party disciplines and the national laws.

In August that year, he was expelled from the Communist Party of China.

Early this year, he was indicted on the charge of taking bribes.