Ex-senior official in Shaanxi pleads guilty to bribery

Qian Yin'an, a former senior official in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, pleaded guilty to bribery during his first trial on Thursday at Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong province.

He was a former member of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and secretary-general of the provincial committee.

Prosecutors said Qian abused his powers in several positions from 2001 to 2017 -- including head of Chang'an district of Shaanxi's capital city of Xi'an, deputy mayor of Xi'an, and mayor and Party Secretary of Baoji city -- to provide assistance to individuals and organizations in matters of project contracting, project development and job promotions.

They said Qian had illegally accepted properties from others equivalent to 63.13 million yuan ($8.96 million).

The public trial was heard by about 50 people, who were legislators, political advisers and journalists. Qian pleaded guilty after a cross-examination.

The court announced an adjournment and will make its ruling at a later date.

Qian was arrested on suspicion of taking bribes in May according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the country's top prosecutor.

He was placed under investigation for serious violations of Party disciplinary rules and laws in November last year by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission.

He was expelled from the Party and removed from public office in April.