Ex-vice finance minister pleads guilty to taking bribes worth 67 million yuan

Zhang Shaochun, former vice-minister of finance, pleaded guilty during a trial on Friday in Beijing for taking bribes of about 67 million yuan ($9.71 million).

Prosecutors accused him of making use of his various positions-such as deputy director of the general office of the Ministry of Finance, assistant minister and vice-minister of finance-to take bribes from related departments and individuals between 1995 and 2018.

In return, Zhang helped them in business operations, job promotions and children's education, according to prosecutors.

Zhang made a final statement and pleaded guilty in court on Friday. The Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court said a verdict would be given at a later date.

Zhang, 60, from Liaoning province, was a graduate of Dongbei University of Finance and Economics. He started his career as a secretary in the general office of the Ministry of Finance in 1988.

He was appointed vice-minister of finance in 2006 until being dismissed in May this year because of the disciplinary probe.

The Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in an earlier release that Zhang was involved in several violations, including accepting bribes, illegally entering private clubs, taking advantage of his position to meddle in other people's jobs and prying into other cases in violation of political discipline.

Most of his violations took place after the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CCDI said.

Also on Friday, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced that two former provincial-level officials had been charged with graft-related crimes.

Ai Wenli, 63, former vice-chairman of the Hebei Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was charged with accepting bribes.

Bai Xiangqun, 55, former vice-chairman of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was charged with taking bribes, embezzlement and insider trading, according to the SPP.