Ex-official pleads guilty, won't appeal

Former deputy environment minister Zhang Lijun pleaded guilty to graft charges on Monday in Beijing No 2 Intermediate People's Court and said he would not appeal, no matter what sentence he received.

The court confirmed that prosecutors had accused Zhang of taking 2.4 million yuan ($361,500) in bribes and of aiding project approvals and appointments. The investigation began in July.

Zhang was allowed to address the court, and his defense team was allowed to participate in cross-examination.