Ex-Shandong senior official pleads guilty

Ji Xiangqi, former vice-governor of Shandong province, pleaded guilty to graft charges during his trial at the Intermediate People's Court of Jinzhong, Shanxi province on Thursday.

Prosecutors said Ji, 58, abused his power as chairman and president of a commercial business in Shandong province and as the province's vice-governor from 2003 to 2017. He sought profit for other enterprises in business cooperation and major projects, and accepted money and property worth 25.7 million yuan ($3.7 million).

From 2004 to 2013, when Ji served as the president of Lushang Group and as the legal representative of Shandong Inzone Art Museum, he used his positions to take possession of paintings and other artwork valued at 12.2 million yuan.