Briefly

SHANDONG

13-year prison term for ex-NEA deputy head

Liu Baohua, former deputy head of the National Energy Administration, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Wednesday for accepting bribes worth more than 70 million yuan ($11 million). The Qingdao Intermediate People's Court in Shandong province also fined Liu 3 million yuan, and ordered the confiscation of his illicit gains and related holdings. From 2000 to 2020, Liu took advantage of his positions and power to seek profits for others in company operations, enterprise reformation, project contracts and children's school placements, and accepted more than 70.7 million yuan in return, according to the ruling. Given that Liu confessed to the crime and was cooperative in returning his illegal gains, it was decided to punish him leniently.

BEIJING

Rocket engine for space lab ends test

A Chinese high-thrust oxyhydrogen rocket engine has completed a 520-second test in preparation for the upcoming launches of space station lab modules, its maker said on Wednesday. Developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the engine is designed for the core stage of the Long March-5 carrier rocket series, which will be used to launch two lab modules of China's orbiting Tiangong space station this year. The test verified the reliability of the engine, the company said, adding that it will be put through more than 20 other experimental tasks to further test its performance. China plans to launch six more missions this year to complete the construction of the space station.

Xinhua - China Daily